Reptiles Win in Biggest Legal Battle in South African History

Photo Credit: EKATERINA BOLOVTSOVA from Pexels

Honourable Magistrate Maboho made history for reptiles in his judgment of a case that saw 3 Southern African Pythons removed from harrowing conditions.

Rustenburg, South Africa (01 February 2022) – 3 Southern African Pythons (Python natalensis) were removed from harrowing conditions in 2019 and taken to the Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital, where they were rehabilitated. Since the removal, the NSPCA and wildlife vet are celebrating a successful conviction against the accused.

Two suspects were charged for contravening the Nature Conservation Ordinances and NEMBA legislation, as well as the Animals Protection Act. Southern African Pythons are classified as CITES II internationally and as a Threatened or Protected Species (ToPS) under the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act (10/2004).

After the suspects pled guilty, Honourable Magistrate Maboho made history in his sentencing. He sentenced the accused to:

R50 000 fine for each of the accused OR 5 years imprisonment
All costs the Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital incurred while caring for the snakes and the costs the NSPCA incurred to rescue the snakes, to be paid in full (More than R85 000)
Both accused are declared unfit to own or be in charge of any reptiles or rabbits.

This is a historic win for reptiles in South Africa. Honourable Magistrate Maboho hopes the judgement will discourage the accused and others from committing crimes like this in the future.

Snakes have a bad rap in South Africa, so he hopes that this judgement will also aid in protecting the threatened species so it can be around for many more generations instead of just in pictures.

“This regional court judgement is a phenomenal precedent setting sentence for not only snakes, but for all reptiles in SA.

We celebrate this win and applaud and thank everyone involved in this massive achievement.” – The Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital