Gain a deep understanding of how animal cruelty is prosecuted within South Africa’s legal framework.

This course explores the Animals Protection Act and its interaction with the Criminal Procedure Act, including how cases are initiated, investigated, and tried. Learn how evidence is gathered, how charges are laid, and how cases are argued in court. The course also addresses legal loopholes, common challenges in enforcement, and current reform efforts to improve animal protection through strategic litigation and legislative change.

When and where?

5 to 7 November 2025, 9:00 to 11:00 SAST

This course will be held remotely, most likely on Zoom - exact details will be sent to registered participants a few days before the course.

Course outline

The following topics will be covered:

Foundations of Animal Protection in South African Law

  • Overview of the Animal Protection Act: purpose and key provisions 
  • Brief history of animal protection legislation in SA 
  • Classification of offenses under the APA 
  • The role of animal cruelty laws in a rights-based legal system

Overview of the Criminal Procedure Act

  • Purpose and scope of the CPA 
  • How the CPA governs all criminal prosecutions 
  • Key procedural stages: arrest, bail, trial, sentencing 
  • Importance of procedural fairness in animal cruelty cases

Initiating prosecution under the APA using the CPA

  • Laying charges under the APA 
  • Who can initiate prosecution? (SPCA, NPA, SAPS) 
  • Role of section 20–21 of the CPA: search and seizure 
  • Use of section 57 for admission of guilt fines in minor offenses 
  • Importance of proper charge formulation (CPA compliance)

Evidentiary Considerations in Animal Cruelty Case

  • Gathering admissible evidence: photos, vet reports, witness testimony 
  • Use of section 212 of the CPA for expert evidence (e.g. vets) 
  • Chain of custody and the handling of seized animals 
  • Protecting evidence of ongoing cruelty (urgent court orders, interdicts)

Trial Process & Courtroom Dynamics

  • Applying CPA trial procedures to APA offenses 
  • Role of magistrates, prosecutors, and SPCA inspectors 
  • Presenting cases in lower courts (magistrates’ courts vs. regional courts) 
  • Sentencing guidelines and use of CPA section 297 (suspended sentences, conditions)

Common Challenges & Legal Loopholes

  • Inadequate training of prosecutors or police 
  • Abuse of CPA procedural rights (delays, technical defenses) 
  • Ambiguities in APA definitions (e.g. what constitutes “unnecessary suffering”) 
  • Need for bail conditions protecting animals or the public

Reform & Strategic Litigation

  • Review of proposed legislative amendments to the APA 
  • Improving alignment between APA and CPA for efficiency 
  • Examples of public interest litigation involving animal cruelty 
  • Civil remedies and interdicts in parallel with criminal prosecution

Who will benefit from this course?

Legal professionals (attorneys and advocates), animal welfare professionals, and prosecutors

Presenter

Lisa V. Thomas, a former criminal defence advocate and professional legal assistant in Durban, has a wealth of experience in both private and public law practice. Lisa earned her LLB from the University of Kwazulu-Natal (Howard College Campus), completed her pupillage, and was admitted as an advocate/barrister in 2008. A passionate advocate for humanity and ethics in the South African legal profession, Lisa is especially committed to supporting entry-level legal professionals. Lisa shares her extensive legal expertise through LinkedIn teaching posts, a mentorship and career coaching platform, and her legal academy. She also provides ad-hoc litigation training for legal professionals and is a presenter with SA Legal Academy, where she developed their candidate attorney short course. Guided by empathy and authenticity, Lisa is devoted to being a lifelong resource for aspiring legal professionals.

Michelle Wolmarans brings over 40 years of hands-on experience and a wide range of qualifications in dog and equine sporting disciplines. A skilled animal handler and trainer, she holds Western Province colours in SAWDOS and qualified as a KUSA Aptitude Judge in 1997. She has trained and competed with numerous dogs across various working categories. As an amateur ethologist and animal behaviourist, Michelle is deeply committed to ongoing study and has developed several training programmes tailored to the animal welfare sector. In 2012, the NSPCA approached Michelle to revive the dormant Oudtshoorn SPCA, marking the beginning of her formal involvement in animal welfare. Since then, she has served as an authorised Animal Welfare Inspector, gaining firsthand insight into the significant knowledge gaps within SAPS and the legal sector regarding animal protection. In 2023, Michelle founded AHAWE, focusing on the creation of a nationally recognised Animal Welfare and Protection qualification on South Africa’s NQF. Her goal is to professionalise the sector. She is recognised as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) and holds NQF Level 5 qualifications as a Facilitator, Assessor, and Moderator. She has also recently completed advanced training in designing and developing educational material.

Colette Barnard is a multidisciplinary professional with over fourteen years of experience in the animal welfare sector, where she has worked extensively in law enforcement, education, public engagement, and nonprofit leadership. Her career began with the SPCA movement and evolved into a national role with the NSPCA’s Farm Animal Protection Unit, where she was involved in high-level investigations, inspections, legal proceedings, and stakeholder engagement. She has authored internal protocols, field manuals, and SOPs, and has presented training content at both introductory and refresher levels. Whether developing onboarding systems for new staff, leading public education initiatives, or advising on welfare standards and legislation, Colette brings a unique blend of practical experience, subject matter knowledge, and people-centered communication. As a freelance contributor to AHAWE, Colette has assisted in shaping educational content and advising on the development of legal and welfare-related training materials. Her current focus is on supporting the creation of CPD-accredited learning opportunities that bridge animal protection and legal education, ensuring that both students and professionals in the legal field are equipped with relevant, accessible, and ethically grounded training. 

How much?

R2,970 per person

Certificate

A digital certificate of attendance from UCT will be issued to those who attend the full course.

No certificate will be issued without full payment having been received. Please allow up to three weeks after the end of the course for certificates to be processed.

How to sign up

Complete and submit the registration form. You will then be given the payment information. Please note that registrations will not be considered complete until payment has been made.

One or two days before the course, we will send you the Zoom link. You will need to register and use a password to access the course.

Registrations close three days before the course starts.

Download the brochure.

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