NSPCA welcomes long-awaited reform for lion captivity breeding ban

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CAPE TOWN - The National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) has  welcomed the announcement by Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George, on the imminent publication of the Lion Prohibition Notice banning new captive lion breeding facilities.   This long-awaited reform marks a pivotal milestone in dismantling an industry built on systemic cruelty, reflecting years of legal action, public advocacy, and inspections by the NSPCA. The prohibition confirms what the NSPCA has long exposed: the captive lion industry has operated largely unabated for decades, inflicting severe animal welfare violations, damaging South Africa’s conservation reputation, and flouting constitutional obligations to protect sentient beings. While limited to new facilities, this ban sends a clear signal that the commodification of lions for tourism, hunting, and the bone trade is no longer defensible. The NSPCA’s decade-long investigations have laid bare the industry’s brutality. O...

Crime Stats reveal reduction in some categories of crime


PRETORIA - Police Minister Senzo Mchunu says although there has been some reduction in several categories, more still needs to be done to reduce the country’s crime levels.

“We are positioning ourselves accordingly in terms of policing whilst we continue our work throughout the whole country,” Mchunu said.

The Minister was presenting the Quarterly Crime Statistics, reflecting on crimes that occurred during the third quarter of the current financial year (1 October 2024 – 31 December 2024). 

At Friday’s briefing in Pretoria, the Minister said the police had observed an overall decrease in several categories of crime when compared to the same period in the previous year.

“We have also registered a 4.5% reduction in stock theft, which is a welcome relief for farmers, communities and the agricultural sector as a whole,” Mchunu said, adding that the positive shift highlights the importance of continued collaboration between law enforcement, local leaders and communities to safeguard this vital industry.

“Although the percentage appears to be relatively small, we note the outcry of communities that farm livestock, particularly in the eastern Free State, north western parts of KwaZulu-Natal and in the northern Eastern Cape, hence our plan to combine these three provinces in a meeting to discuss this challenge.

“We must, however, also acknowledge the areas that require urgent attention. We have seen an increase in cases of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and malicious damage to property. These crimes continue to disrupt communities and demand a reinforced response from law enforcement.

“For the third quarter, all provinces recorded a decrease in murder cases, marking a significant milestone in our national crime reduction efforts,” the Minister explained.

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