Protest against cat questions

2005-06-01 09:30

Matt Saville

Durban - Tempers flared on Tuesday at the University of KwaZulu-Natal's Pinetown campus when Inspector Roland Fivaz of the Kloof SPCA wanted to question four individuals labelled as the prime suspects in a case in which a cat was microwaved to death in a university residence over two weeks ago.

According to Fivaz, a note was left for him that identified the four suspects responsible for killing Tango the cat.

The whistleblower is fearful, "owing to sustained intimidation" and did not wish to be identified although he was willing to present evidence to the police.

Fivaz said that "the four individuals refused to speak and started a riot" which included "50 toyi-toying students".

According to Fivaz, he asked the four individuals to either talk to him or be taken to a police station for questioning.

'Threatened students at gunpoint'

"I was shaken," said Fivaz, describing the incident during which he said he felt threatened. "I am handing the matter over to the Pinetown SAPS to take further."

Sbongile Shelembe of the University of KwaZulu-Natal's Durban campus SRC was on the scene of the altercation. "He (Fivaz) threatened the students at gunpoint. The students were unfairly targeted. We are in the middle of exams," she said.

Shelembe said that students "were gathering stones to throw at him (Fivaz)as he was ordering the four students to get into the back of his van".

Fivaz confirmed that as a law enforcement officer, he carries a gun on him at all times, but said he did not draw the weapon. "I put my hand on the gun when I felt threatened," he said.

- The Witness