WES-KAAP. – Die Karoo Donkey Sanctuary in De Rust sê hy beplan om regstappe teen die polisiediens te neem, ná polisie-optrede by die reservaat op 30 Junie.
Die reservaat sê in ‘n sosialemediaplasing polisiebeamptes het die perseel betree om die dokumentasie van werknemers te inspekteer. Volgens die organisasie het werknemers, wat na bewering almal wettig in Suid-Afrika werk, uit paniek gevlug, waarna die polisie hulle agternagesit het. Die reservaat beweer daar is ook met lewendige ammunisie geskiet.
Volgens die plasing is Sellina, ‘n dierversorger, in hegtenis geneem ondanks die feit dat sy glo oor geldige dokumentasie beskik het. Haar saak is die volgende dag van die hofrol geskrap nadat die geldigheid van haar dokumente bevestig is. Die reservaat se bedryfsbestuurder was ook in hegtenis geneem en later vrygelaat.
Die Karoo Donkey Sanctuary sê die voorval was onregmatig en hy het regsadvies ingewin met die oog op ‘n siviele eis teen die polisie.
Nuusflits het polisiekommentaar gevra.
Lees die volledige plasing hier onder:
A Dark Day for Justice in De Rust
As we work tirelessly to attract visitors and investment to De Rust, the very authorities tasked with protecting our communities seem determined to undermine that effort.
The events of Tuesday, 30 June 2026 unfolded against a backdrop of nationwide anxiety.
Public protests and campaigns calling for the removal of undocumented foreign nationals had created widespread fear across South Africa. These actions were not initiated by government. On the contrary, government publicly distanced itself from the so-called “June 30 deadline” promoted by anti-immigration groups such as March and March.
Government also announced that approximately R600 million had been allocated to the South African Police Service (SAPS) for a nationwide security operation aimed at maintaining public order, preventing xenophobic violence, protecting critical infrastructure and conducting lawful immigration compliance operations.
According to government, these compliance operations were intended to enforce immigration laws and investigate employers suspected of unlawfully employing undocumented foreign nationals through proper legal processes.
At approximately 16:30, two SAPS vehicles entered our farm and private property without presenting a search warrant or arrest warrant and demanded to inspect the documentation of our animal carers.
Every member of our care team is lawfully employed and possesses valid documentation entitling them to work in South Africa.
Our staff had previously experienced what they believed to be an aggressive immigration operation and, with the country already gripped by fears of xenophobic violence, many panicked and fled towards the river, genuinely fearing for their safety.
Approximately ten SAPS members pursued them on foot. During the pursuit, several rounds of live ammunition were discharged from shotguns. These shots were fired both at our staff as well as in close proximity to the shelters where our rescued animals were being fed, causing immense distress to both staff and animals.
Our much-loved farmyard animal carer, Sellina, was apprehended and arrested for a second time despite being in possession of legitimate documentation.
The Station Commander of De Rust SAPS also authorised the arrest of our Operations Lead.
Late that evening we secured our Operations Lead’s release.
Sellina was transported to the Oudtshoorn holding cells where she remained in custody overnight.
After obtaining an official SAPS 496 confirming the validity of her documentation, her matter appeared before court the following morning and was immediately struck from the roll.
This should never have happened.
We are now taking legal advice and will be instituting civil proceedings against the South African Police Service.
Regardless of where one stands on immigration policy, no lawful employee should be subjected to unnecessary arrest, detention or trauma. Law enforcement must always operate within the confines of the Constitution and the rule of law.
South Africa faces enormous challenges.
The answer cannot be fear.
The answer cannot be unlawful conduct.
The answer must always be justice, accountability and respect for the rights and dignity of every person.
Justice. Accountability. Human dignity.
