A 22-year-old Dunoon man known as the “Dunoon puppy seller” has been sentenced to nine months’ direct imprisonment after admitting to animal cruelty, illegally selling animals and escaping from lawful

custody.

Ncubeko Hloni appeared in the Cape Town Central Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 2 September.

Hloni had been in custody since his re-arrest on 1 December 2025, following his escape from Sea Point Police Station.

Former Cape of Good Hope SPCA chief inspector Jaco Pieterse, now a candidate attorney at Gishen McLeod Attorneys, attended the proceedings.

Guilty plea

Hloni pleaded guilty to the charges at an earlier court appearance on 27 August in terms of section 112 of the Criminal Procedure Act.

Pieterse addressed the court in aggravation of sentence on behalf of the State.

The State described the offences as serious and requested direct imprisonment.

It also asked the court to declare Hloni unfit to be in charge of animals in terms of the Animals Protection Act.

During the proceedings, Hloni admitted that he had bought animals for R150 and resold them for R300.

He was sentenced to R3 000 or three months imprisonment on the four counts relating to offences under the Animals Protection Act.

He received a further R3 000 or three months imprisonment for selling animals without the required City of Cape Town authorisation, in contravention of the animal keeping by-law.

A further R3 000 or three months imprisonment was imposed for escaping from lawful custody.

The sentences will run concurrently.

As Hloni was unable to pay the fines, he will serve the term of imprisonment.

Escape from police custody

Hloni’s arrest and conviction followed a lengthy history of encounters with authorities. After being taken to Sea Point Police Station, where SPCA inspectors intended laying criminal charges against him, Hloni asked to use the bathroom.

He was escorted there by a police officer but was left alone in the bathroom, which had a small unsecured window without burglar bars.

Hloni climbed through the window and escaped.

Following the escape, the SPCA issued a citywide alert and offered a R5 000 reward for information that could lead to his arrest and successful prosecution.

Arrested in Dunoon

Almost three months later, on the morning of 1 December 2025, residents in Dunoon recognised Hloni and managed to contain him before alerting authorities.

Pieterse then mobilised City Law Enforcement and local security groups, who secured him until Table View police took him into custody.

His re-arrest brought an end to months of uncertainty over the case and allowed the criminal proceedings to continue.

History of animal cruelty

The case dates back to 2023, when the Cape of Good Hope SPCA received repeated complaints about an animal hawker operating near the Malibongwe Drive bridge in Dunoon.

One incident involved Hloni allegedly placing a string around a rabbit’s neck and swinging the animal through the air in the middle of traffic, apparently to attract motorists’ attention.

After more than a month of reports and attempted interventions, the SPCA, with assistance from a member of the public and the City’s Law Enforcement Animal Control Unit, secured his arrest on 16 March 2023.

However, the matter was delayed after Hloni was released on bail and disappeared.

A warrant for his arrest was subsequently issued.

In 2024, he again escaped from law enforcement officers during a sting operation.

His eventual arrest in December 2025 paved the way for the matter to reach its conclusion.

Don’t buy animals from roadside sellers

The Cape of Good Hope SPCA has reminded residents that selling or offering animals for sale without the required City authorisation is illegal.

Under the City of Cape Town’s animal keeping by-law, keeping, breeding or selling animals as part of a business or economic activity requires prior authorisation.

The by-law also prohibits displaying or exhibiting an animal for financial gain in a public space or public road without a permit.

The SPCA said people who encounter unauthorised animal sales should report them to the City on 021 480 7700, rather than buying an animal to remove it from the seller.

“Although the intention may be compassionate, each purchase creates demand and allows the trade, and the suffering associated with it, to continue,” the organisation said.

Members of the public are encouraged to record photographic or video evidence where it is safe to do so and report suspected cruelty.

How to report animal cruelty

Animal cruelty or neglect can be reported to the Cape of Good Hope SPCA Inspectorate.

• Office hours: 021 700 4158/9

• After hours: 083 326 1604

• The Inspectorate responds to reports of animal cruelty and neglect around the clock.

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