Four jailed in dog-fighting breakthrough

“ALL it takes for the triumph of evil is for good people to do nothing‚ but in this case a lot of good people chose to do something.”

This was said by Magistrate Juan Voogt on Wednesday when he sentenced four people – Mpumelelo Dubula‚ Tsetsewa Mahlaba‚ Bongani Floyd Mbonani and Thokozani Ndabele – to two years in prison for dogfighting.

Ten others – Benedict Ngcobo‚ Gift Nkabinde‚ Sabelo Mtshali‚ Thabiso Mahlangu‚ Bongani Skakane‚ Lehlohonolo Nomadola‚ Thulane Dhlosi‚ Mxolisi Khumalo‚ Nkosana Masilela and Sipho Masombuka – were found guilty of being spectators and sentenced to two years’ correctional supervision – house arrest – and 360 hours of community service.

They also have to pay the National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) R50 000.

One accused pleaded guilty earlier and was sentenced to pay R20 000, or 20 months’ imprisonment, suspended for five years if he does not reoffend.

Two accused have been convicted but are still awaiting sentencing.

Voogt said the human race should ensure that animals were unharmed.

He said dog-fighting tore at the moral fibre of society‚ because the violence was abhorrent and reprehensible.

The raid in Tsakane‚ Ekurhuleni‚ in November 2013 was described at the time as the biggest in 18 years.

Then NSPCA acting chief executive Este Kotze described the scene that confronted the police and NSPCA inspectors as horrific.

The raid took place as a fight was in progress. They rescued 14 dogs‚ but only one survived as the rest were seriously injured and had to be euthanised.

Walls nearly 3m high‚ solid steel gates and lookouts protected the privacy of those watching the blood-letting.

Kotze said the fight was one of several and attendees were placing bets.

She said the dogs were bred for fighting and mated with pitbulls.

“None had been stolen. Each was bred by this fighting community and used to fight over an extended period,” Kotze said.

The NSPCA said: “All the convicted men were found unfit to possess firearms and unfit to own dogs‚ and‚ if found in possession of a dog‚ would be liable to 12 months’ direct imprisonment.”

The NSPCA’s special investigations unit is working on 58 dog-fighting cases involving over 200 dogs. – TimesLIVE