Wildlife crime in the Western Cape: Are current penalties enough to deter offenders

A rescued bird of prey rests inside a transport crate following intervention by animal welfare officials. From a protected eagle owl beaten to death on the Sea Point Promenade to a tourist found with dozens of protected reptiles in a West Coast hotel room, wildlife crime in the Western Cape is increasingly unfolding in public view and in court. While arrests and convictions are being secured, recent outcomes are prompting debate about whether penalties provide a meaningful deterrent.

In one of the most disturbing recent cases, a protected Spotted Eagle Owl was violently beaten to death near Sunset Beach in Sea Point on February 16 last year. The attack, captured on video by horrified witnesses, showed the bird being struck repeatedly with a stick after landing on the promenade barrier. A post-mortem confirmed multiple fractures throughout the owl’s body.

Gustigu Mthini was arrested and remained in custody for seven months before his case was finalised. In September 2025, he was found guilty on charges including animal cruelty under the Animals Protection Act, the illegal killing of a protected species under the Nature Conservation Ordinance 19 of 1974, and contravention of immigration laws. The court imposed fines and suspended prison terms for the wildlife-related offences, while ordering that he serve one month in prison for the immigration violation, after which he was deported to Mozambique.

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A charge relating to a City of Cape Town Coastal By-Law was withdrawn by the State. At the time of the incident, SPCA spokesperson Belinda Abraham described the killing as “a barbaric act that not only ended the life of a protected species but also left an indelible mark on those who witnessed it.” SPCA chief inspector Jaco Pieterse said the conviction demonstrated that wildlife crimes would be pursued through the courts. “Our swift action led to the speedy gathering of evidence, including affidavits from witnesses and the video footage.

The owl’s remains were collected and sent for a post-mortem, the results of which confirmed the brutal impact of the attack,” Pieterse said. In a separate case highlighting the illegal wildlife trade, a 41-year-old Spanish national was convicted in the Vredendal Regional Court after protected reptiles were discovered in his hotel room without permits. David Navarro Roman was arrested on November 29, 2025, during a joint operation by SAPS’ Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit and CapeNature officials following a tip-off that he had been enquiring about Armadillo Girdled Lizards in the area.

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