The Excelsior Lion Farm near Tosca in the North West province was today found to be illegally slaughtering donkeys‚ according to the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals which secured a warrant to enter the property.

“NSPCA personnel uncovered evidence of large numbers of donkeys having been inhumanely slaughtered. We also uncovered approximately 100 skins‚” the organisation said.

Just last night‚ 10 donkeys had been slaughtered.

The NSPCA team alerted the SAPS Stock Theft Unit and also the North West Province’s Veterinary Public Health Service‚ which worked with them.

Charges are being laid in terms of the Animals Protection Act‚ Stock Theft Act and the Meat Safety Act.

 “The NSPCA is of the opinion that this is a commercial operation which is involved in the donkey skin trade and also linked to the recent sale in Hartswater in the North West Province where an estimated 450 donkeys were auctioned and sold‚” the organisation said in a statement.

The donkey skins found on the Tosca property are being removed to a place of safety.