SPCA after Yengeni for 'ritual'

2007-01-22 07:15

Marius Louw and Anesca Smith

Cape Town - The SPCA is on to former African National Congress chief whip Tony Yengeni for the inhumane way in which a bull was slaughtered at his parents' home to welcome him home from prison.

The animal was bound, had its tail bitten and was pierced with a spear before it was killed.

Andries Venter, Western Cape SPCA chief inspector told Die Burger after the ritual slaughter of the bull: "We're not happy with what took place there.

A bull and two sheep were slaughtered for the cleansing ceremony, after Yengeni served jail time for corruption.

Venter said: "The way in which the animal was treated, and the slaughter, were not humane.

Slaughter animals sedated

"There are international standards that apply when animals are slaughtered."

Shortly before they are killed, slaughter animals are sedated, shocked senseless or shot with a special pistol.

But, at Yengeni's ceremony, a spear was thrust into the animal and, according to media reports at the weekend, people bit the bull's tail to make it move.

Apart from that, the animals were tied up.

Venter said he hoped the investigation would be completed by Wednesday.

- Die Burger