Animal-abusing healer in court

A 64-year-old sangoma and her husband have admitted guilt to keeping wild animals in cages without permits and have been convicted and sentenced in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court, the Bloemfontein Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) said.

The sangoma, Pauline Tukula, admitted that she did not have permits to keep wild animals, Bloemfontein SPCA senior inspector Reinet Meyer said on Saturday.

“During our visit to Pauline Tukula in Kabane Street in Botchabelo, Bloemfontein, she tried to draw our attention away, showing us all her certificates proving she is a traditional healer. It did not take our attention away from the real problem which involved a vervet monkey and eight tortoises,” she said.

“The vervet monkey was in a wire cage. There was no food or water available for the poor animal. The cage was completely unacceptable. It was too small and had loose wires that could have hurt the monkey very badly. There was also not enough environment enrichment and there was barely space for the monkey to sit down.

“In the same cage were also eight tortoises. One was lying in a dish on his back and could not get out of it. If we had not been there, that tortoise would have died. There was also no food or water for the tortoises.

“When we asked Pauline Tukula what she was doing with these animals, she admitted that she used them in traditional rituals,” Meyer said.

“The vervet monkey and the eight tortoises were confiscated and taken to the Bloemfontein SPCA for safekeeping. They were taken to a vet and it was found that one of the monkey’s teeth had been pulled out. The monkey and the tortoises were all malnourished and dehydrated.”

The SPCA opened charges with the police against Pauline Tukula and Tshidiso Sidwell Tukula. They appeared in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court, charged with keeping wild animals without the requisite permits.

Pauline Tukula was sentenced to a fine of R6 000 or six months’ imprisonment, wholly suspended for five years. Tshidiso Sidwell Tukula was sentenced to a fine of R6 000 or six months’ imprisonment, of which R4 000 or four months’ imprisonment was suspended for five years.

“Although you are a sangoma, the Bloemfontein SPCA will not tolerate animal abuse. If you are guilty of animal abuse or you do not have permits to keep wild animals, we will lay charges,” Meyer said.

“It does not matter how many certificates you have, as in the case of the sangoma who has traditional healing certificates, that does not mean that animal abuse may take place. The Bloemfontein SPCA will always stand up for the animals and we will always be their voice. No animal abuse will be tolerated.” – ANA