Seal-torture suspect bust in previous case

One of the two men allegedly implicated in the beating and stabbing of a seal pup while filming it, is on trial for another marine crime.

Police are still in the process of authenticating the disturbing video clip of the seal attack that emerged last month.

Shortly after the video surfaced on June 11, West Coast and Swartland SPCA chairwoman Colette Mang identified the two suspects.

Department of agriculture, forestry & fisheries spokesperson Carol Moses confirmed that one of the men had been caught in December 2017 allegedly in possession of a galjoen net and fish without a permit.

Moses declined to elaborate, saying that the matter was being heard in court at present.

Western Cape police spokesperson Captain Frederick van Wyk said the two men had not yet been arrested in connection with the seal attack as the authenticity of the clip still had to be verified by an expert witness.

The SPCA laid complaints against the men on June 12.

The investigation is being handled by the Laaiplek police station, near Velddrift in the Western Cape where the attack is believed to have taken place.

Environmental affairs department spokesperson Zolile Nqayi said his team had added additional charges under the Threatened and Protected Marine Species Regulation and had supplied a supporting witness statement.

It had also formulated a plan with police to finalise outstanding issues.

The investigation has revealed the video was filmed in December. The footage caused outrage on social media and shows a seal trapped in a compartment on the boat's deck.

As it tries to escape‚ it is stabbed, beaten, thrown down and smashed onto the deck.