Four staff members of the Mdzananda Animal Clinic in Khayelitsha were brutally attacked while carrying out a recently launched initiative aimed at creating safe environments for both humans and animals in the vicinity on Wednesday afternoon.
Entitled ‘The Fencing Project’, the initiative seeks to build fences around community members’ yards to create more safe homes for people who wish to adopt dogs.
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While building the first fence of the programme for a dog named Speedy, the four staff members were held up at gunpoint, beaten and robbed.
The clinic’s generator and tools, as well as staff members’ wallets, cell phones and car keys, were stolen.
Two staff members, Magci and Tabo, were rushed to the emergency room after being attacked. Magci was beaten over the head with a gun and then a hammer and Tabo was beaten on the back with a hammer.
As a result, Magci suffered a haematoma and required stitches on his head, while Tabo suffered multiple contusions to his back.
The other two staff members, Lynton and Mtho, were left feeling extremely shaken but thankfully unharmed.
‘We are so angry but also so heartbroken. We work so hard for this community to elevate and empower people and to make the lives of animals better,’ expressed Mdzananda Animal Clinic in a Facebook post. ‘It is sad how the criminal element affects the good people of Khayelitsha who want to have a normal safe environment for their families and pets.’
The animal clinic added that while the fencing project has the potential to change lives and create safe homes for pets, it is scared to continue building them.
‘Any donations to help cover the costs of replacing the generator, tools, car keys, personal items and to pay for medical bills will be greatly appreciated,’ urged the clinic.
Donation details:
Bank: Standard Bank
Account no: 075595710
Branch code: 025009
Savings account
Reference: Robbery + your name
For other donation portals and SnapScan, click here.
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Picture: Mdzananda Animal Clinic / Facebook