A well-known community member of Manenberg took his thoughts, hurt and plea to Facebook on Sunday, August 22. The writer Abdul-Karriem Adams titles his words: ‘For the Love of Our Cat, Ginger’ – the feline who has been missing for 2-months now.
Mr. Adams wrote not only an ode because he longs for his cat, but additionally in tribute to all other cats who have lost their lives at the hand of the Manenberg cat serial killer.
“I’m not a writer, but this is what I want to say.”
These are Abdul’s words.
“Assalamu Alaykoem and good morning everyone.
This is a picture I had taken of myself in an attempt to raise awareness of the killings of our cats over the past month or so.
The picture is now all over in the media.
On July 15, when that cat was dumped in our front yard, I just thought it was an isolated incident. But what followed after: I took to social media with a picture of that cat, and that same day I heard that dead cats had been dumped in neighbours yards. As the days and weeks went by, more and more cats were found killed and mutated.
Once it was brought to my attention, I went to the scene where the cat was found, took a picture of it and sent it to the Animal Welfare Society of SA. My front yard became a cat cemetery and many cats were buried there, Some of the cat’s corpses were exhumed and taken for autopsies.
These autopsies confirmed that all this evil work was done by a human being. There was a day when I buried three cats in one hole together, and during this time I called a meeting in the area and asked if we could maybe have a patrol team to see if we could catch and apprehend the person/s involved in it.
While on patrol, we saw dogs accompanied by men, but due to the heavy fog in the early hours of the morning, they disappeared when we moved towards them. I was always of the opinion that this was the work of an insane, mad and angry person.
I saw cats chopped in half, slit in horizontal and vertical, round holes cut into their bodies … just gruesome. Some cats necks were broken, and the looks on these cats face when they died is unforgettable. I made it my duty to see that each of those cats killed were buried and not just dumped on a rubbish heap.
Many kids witnessed this. Mutilated bodies of cats were found in play parks, at schools, in front of churches and one or two opposite the police stations. After the meeting regarding the cat killings, we decided we would patrol the area every day randomly which we still do – including the early hours of Sunday morning.
I salute these individuals, men and women who give up their time to help save a cat. These we called “cat patrols”, a patrol specific for the safety of the cats.
By July 29, the number of cats killed escalated to 25 and we were in contact with Animal Welfare Society’s, Allan Perrins and we sent him pictures, videos and updates of these brutal killings.
On this same day, we decided to open a case of animal cruelty, but due to miss communication at the police station we never manage to open the case. The following day we were told that Brigadier Zama would like to meet with us regarding the cat killings. A few of us residents together with Mark of the Animal Welfare Society proceeded to the police station.
A case of animal cruelty was then opened at the Manenberg police station. We then encouraged people who lost [their] cats in this way to report it and add to the docket.
The total number of cats now killed now stands at 42. These are of what we know of and there might be many more.
We were informed on another occasion that two cats were slit by the stomach and laying at Venster Street and after enquiries, it was said that there were cats dumped there previously.
There are no more cats being dumped here at Manenberg area 1 and area 2. Since our patrols started 3 weeks ago. It was our intention to establish patrols similar to that we have here in areas where cats were found dead.
Two dogs have [been] taken in by the Animal Welfare Society of SA last week. The dogs identified in two separate videos show them attacking cats. Since the dogs have been taken in there been no more cat killings. The incident that has taken place, involved a cat thrown out of a car. One person taken in for questioning on Friday, August 20.
We have done our bit, and we will still be vigilant and patrol to continue doing our bit to help save a cat.
In ending I would like to mention Allan Perrins of the Animal Welfare Society of SA. Your amazing love for animals and all the work you’ve put in since the start of rage towards our cats.
To all other media people. Thank you It’s really now up to the authorities to investigate the matter further and hopefully the one responsible will be found.”