The attack has been described as ‘revolting’, ‘shocking’, and ‘barbaric’. A group of protesters at Fairview Racecourse near Port Elizabeth took revenge against their employees in the most brutal fashion on Thursday, killing and maiming horses that were staying in the stables. But SAPS has warned that it’s not just these criminals who may find themselves in trouble.
#sapsEC +- 150-200 Protesters from Fairview Informal settlement stormed onto the property of Fairview stables and freed about 28 horses this morning, 17/09. Injured horses are receiving treatment by the Port Elizabeth Anti Animal Cruelty. #ProtestAction MEhttps://t.co/kftpLWy853 pic.twitter.com/xrFBmsOHp5
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) September 17, 2020
Update on the horses attacked in Port Elizabeth
A police statement on the matter was issued earlier this afternoon. They confirmed that several racehorses had been stabbed, and criminal charges have already been brought against some of the perpetrators.
“All the horses have been accounted for and the injured horses are receiving treatment by the Port Elizabeth Anti Animal Cruelty League. The exact reason for the protest and subsequent death, injury, and release of the horses is not known.”
“Public Order Policing, the community, security companies, specialised police units as well as SAPS Kabega Park members assisted the stabling staff in rounding up the traumatised animals. The horses are racehorses. A case of malicious injury to property is opened and under investigation, and additional charges may be added.”
SAPS statement
Fairview horses: How social media users could land themselves in trouble
Priscilla Naidu has warned the general public about their own conduct going forward, though. She has reminded social media users that they could also be criminally charged for ‘posting false information about the Fairview incident’.
Colonel Naidu sounded the following warning to those planning to spread fake news about this attack on the Fairview horses:
“One horse was found dead about a kilometre away in an opening near the houses, allegedly stabbed and wounder. Police, however, are warning social media users to refrain from posting false information relating to the incident.”
“This can cause the current situation to escalate into confusion and retaliatory conduct by the community. Any person who publishes, distributes, discloses, transmits, circulates or spreads false information or fake news is guilty of an offence and may be prosecuted.”
Colonel Priscilla Naidu
Read the original article on The South African
