CAPE TOWN – A total of 120 fish have had to be rescued from a contaminated swimming pool that had become a dumping site at a Fish Hoek residential property.
The Cape of Good Hope SPCA inspectors executed a court warrant to rescue the fish from appalling conditions at the property on Wednesday 14 January.
The six-and-a-half-hour operation involved six officials from the SPCA and The City of Cape Town Law Enforcement’s Animal Control Unit, following multiple failed attempts to secure voluntary compliance from the property owner.
Shocking conditions discovered
Inspectors found fish living in stagnant, green water filled with household refuse including plastic bags, skateboards, brooms, dust pans and pots.
The swimming pool was effectively being used as a dumping site while containing live animals.
“The water quality was extremely poor, with limited visibility and the pool contained large amounts of waste,” the SPCA said on its website.
Court intervention necessary
The SPCA became involved after receiving a cruelty complaint and conducted several inspections over time.
Despite issuing multiple formal warnings, conditions failed to improve and the property owner refused to engage meaningfully with animal-welfare officials.
This forced the SPCA to approach Simon’s Town Magistrates’ Court for a warrant under the Animals Protection Act.
Challenging rescue operation
The rescue proved technically difficult due to the water’s poor condition. Initial netting attempts failed, and mechanical problems with pumps caused repeated delays. A petrol pump was ultimately needed to complete the drainage.
Mixed outcomes
Of the 120 fish rescued two were already compromised and seven died shortly after removal despite intervention efforts.
The remaining fish are receiving assessment and treatment in SPCA care.
“The SPCA will not hesitate to approach the courts and take decisive, lawful action to protect animal welfare,” the society said on its website.
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