Two janitors are expected to appear in the Khayelitsha Magistrate’s Court this week for allegedly burying a dog alive,

Poto Mfengu and Mkhumbuzi Ncedana, who had their case postponed for further investigation on Monday, face charges of animal cruelty after the dog was rescued from being buried alive on the sports field of Luhlaza Secondary School on October 20.

 The two will again appear in court on Friday.

The dog was dubbed “Warrior” by her rescuers after being hauled from a 1.5m-deep pit where she was stuck for about 30 minutes.

Staff of Mdzananda Animal Clinic brought Warrior to the court building on Monday where animal lovers, along with their own dogs, protested outside for “justice for Warrior”.

Clinic co-ordinator Jane Levinson told the Cape Times newspaper that Warrior was recovering “very well” and was being taken for hydrotherapy treatment and acupuncture every week.

Mfengu and Ncedana are still working at Luhlaza Secondary School.

Western Cape Education Department spokesman Paddy Atwell said there was nothing prohibiting the two men from returning to work.

Police arrested the pair within hours of the incident, but released them from custody the next day.

Bukelwa Mbulawa, a worker in the school’s kitchen reported the incident to Mdzananda from her cellphone.