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...

Sutherland High School bullying given attention after Dept intervention

CENTURION - Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane has expressed his concern about a recent alleged bullying incident at Sutherland High School in Centurion, which sparked public interest following a viral video recorded by the mother of the alleged victim.

According to information at the department’s disposal, the mother of the Grade 10 girl learner who was allegedly bullied visited the school on Wednesday, 5 February 2025, to report that her child was being bullied by a Grade 10 boy learner, seeking to address the matter. However, the school explained that, as per due process, a preliminary investigation must be conducted to verify the allegations before any disciplinary action.

A meeting involving the parents of the victim, school management, and district officials was held today, Thursday, 6 February 2025, at Sutherland High School. 

"Following this meeting, we can confirm that the school will initiate a disciplinary hearing, subject to the availability of both parents to participate in the process.

"The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has deployed its Psycho-Social Support Unit to offer support to both learners and their parents in an effort to assist in managing the emotional and psychological impact of the incident.
"In addition, the department has launched an investigation into circumstances surrounding the handling of this complaint by the educator. Furthermore, the school will provide curriculum support to the affected learner following the incident," said MEC Chiloane.

He added that the department will monitor the matter closely and ensure that all necessary support measures are followed thoroughly to address this matter effectively.

MEC Chiloane reiterated the department’s zero-tolerance stance on bullying in all its forms. “Bullying has no place in our schools. We strongly discourage any form of bullying within our learning environments and urge all learners to report such incidents to school management so that necessary action can be taken promptly. Schools must be safe spaces where learners feel protected and supported at all times,” he concluded.

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