Pretoria - The National SPCA will never reveal details of people who report incidents of cruelty to animals - and has the full backing from the country’s courts in this regard.
The high court in Pretoria first gave the NSPCA the nod to remain mum on snitches in 2014.
This right was again confirmed on Thursday when the South African Pork Producers Organisation (Sappo) appealed the 2014 judgment, in terms of which it was refused information regarding a complaint of a piggery which allegedly ill-treated its pigs.
The pork watchdog wanted the information in order to take action against the piggery. Judge Legodi Phatudi at the time said the NSPCA was within its right to refuse to divulge the information.
Sappo, in a renewed bid to obtain the information, appealed Judge Phatudi’s judgment, but a full bench - three judges - reiterated that the animal watchdog did not need to divulge any information relating to a complaint, especially where it identified the source of the complaint.
The matter revolved around a complaint the NSPCA Lephalale’s branch received regarding the poor living conditions at a piggery in Vaalwater, Limpopo.
The local SPCA in that area inspected the premises, and a veterinarian recommended that a pig, which battled to get up, should be put out of its misery. It was further recommended that the other pigs which might be injured, immediately be treated by the vet.
Sappo wanted the NSPCA to divulge the details of the complaint, as it wanted to take action. When the animal watchdog refused, Sappo turned to court to demand the information in terms of the Promotion to Access to Information Act.
The NSPCA said it received the complaint from a member of the public and after it visited the piggery, it contemplated laying criminal charges. But as it was logical that the nature of the complaint would have been in the public eye, it decided against it. The body said if the source of the complaint came to light, it would hamper the future supply of similar information. The organisation said it was in the public interest that people should feel free to report cruelty to animals without being afraid of being exposed.
Pretoria News