WESTERN CAPE. – Ncubeko Hloni (22), known as the Dunoon dog seller, has been sentenced to direct imprisonment after pleading guilty to charges of animal cruelty, unlicensed sale of animals and escaping lawful custody.
According to the Cape of Good Hope SPCA, Hloni appeared on two September 2026 before magistrate Nemuhuyuni in the Cape Town Central Magistrate's Court. Former SPCA chief inspector Jaco Pieterse was also present at the court proceedings. Hloni was sentenced in total to R9 000 in fines or three months imprisonment for each of three sets of charges. The prison sentences run concurrently and because he could not pay the fines, he will serve the term.
The charges stem from an incident on 29 November 2025 when Hloni allegedly attempted to sell a puppy in Greenpoint. According to the SPCA, during a struggle he attempted to strangle the puppy, after which the animal's leg was broken. A second puppy was found in his packed rucksack. Both puppies were taken to a veterinarian by a member of the public and later placed in the SPCA's care.
Hloni also escaped from custody at the Seapoint police station, but was recognised by residents of Dunoon on one December 2025 and taken back into custody.
The SPCA reminds the public that the sale of animals without the necessary permission from the City of Cape Town is unlawful. Unlicensed animal sales can be reported on 021 480 7700.
This article is an automatic English translation of a Nuusflits article originally published in Afrikaans. Read the Afrikaans original.
