24/07/2025
This breaks my heart. Our prayers and thoughts go out to the SPCA members and the voiceless
*****UPDATE*****
We extend our sincere appreciation to Alderman JP Smith and the City of Cape Town for acting swiftly to protect animal welfare and the safety of those who serve it. Thanks to the offer of support by way of Metro Police and Law Enforcement escorts, our mobile clinic returns to Khayelitsha tomorrow — and our care continues.
Cape of Good Hope SPCA Withdraws Mobile Clinic Services from Khayelitsha After Two Armed Hijacking Attempts
“I drove for my life – and theirs.”
These are the words of a Cape of Good Hope SPCA mobile clinic operator who survived a violent hijacking attempt in Khayelitsha today. This attack followed an initial attempted hijacking of the same van in the same area just 2 days earlier.
Inside the vehicle at the time were four cats and twelve dogs, all of which were being returned home following sterilisation at the SPCA’s Animal Hospital.
The operator, who has chosen to remain anonymous, described the ordeal: “I’m the breadwinner at home. My immediate concern was what will happen to my family if I am not here anymore – and what will happen to the animals in my van. Then I drove for my life – and theirs. One gunman was in front of the vehicle and the other at my side window. I am thankful to God that I was able to get away.”
While the staff member escaped physically unharmed, the trauma of these attacks has left the mobile clinic team visibly shaken. Counselling and psychological support are being provided through the SPCA’s staff wellness initiatives.
In response, the Cape of Good Hope SPCA has made the difficult decision to withdraw its mobile clinic services from Khayelitsha with immediate effect.
“This is devastating for the animals of Khayelitsha,” said Belinda Abraham, Spokesperson for the Society. “Crime threatens human lives and now it has robbed animals of essential veterinary care. The SPCA mobile clinics are a lifeline for pets in this community, providing vaccinations, sterilisation, and parasite treatments in an area where access to veterinary care is already so limited. We are incredibly saddened that it has come to this.”
Our priority remains the safety of our staff, who often work under extreme risk to provide services to animals in crime ridden areas. While we continue to seek safer ways to proactively serve in these communities, our commitment to animal welfare in Khayelitsha will for the immediate future be limited to Inspectorate services only.
