Animal-rights activists took to a freeway bridge in Woodstoc

• Published date: 25 April 2024
• Author: Wesley Ford wesley.ford@acm.co.za
• Publication title: Southern Suburbs Tatler

About 20 people from the newly-formed Stop Live Export SA (SLESA) unfurled “Stop Live Export“ banners from the side of a pedestrian bridge over Nelson Mandela Boulevard and held up placards saying ”Ban Live Exports“, ”Stop the Death Ships“ and ”Stop Cruelty“, on Tuesday April 16

This was in response to the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) permitting the shipping of livestock on the Gelbray Express, which docked in East London the day before.

The group is also protesting against the export of 56 000 sheep, 1 500 cattle and 200 goats on the Al Messilah from East London to Kuwait.

“It's an inhumane practice that should be outlawed,” said SLESA founding member, Lara van Rensburg. “Animals will suffer. There is no reason that they should be at sea for 21 days.”

She hopes to see the issue “on the agenda” in the national elections.

Beauty Without Cruelty, another animal-rights organisation, supported the protest. Its spokesperson, Chad Cupido, said the transportation of animals by sea could lead to diseases contagious to humans. “How we treat our animals has a direct correlation to how we treat our public health.”

DALRRD spokesperson, Reginald Ngcobo, declined to provide details of the Gelbray Express’s route or the number of animals being shipped...