Donation to cover urgent security afterserial thefts
The Roodepoort/Krugersdorp SPCA has received a R52 000 donation from Hot Cares to help pay for immediate security and maintenance upgrades after months of criminal incidents at its property, the organisation’s general manager, Mandy Cattanach, said in an interview with Hot Cares.
Those who rely on the shelter said the funding arrives at a critical moment. The SPCA has been the target of repeated thefts over the past two years, and recent incidents forced the charity to divert money earmarked for animal care to protect its premises and staff.
What was taken and how the SPCA responded
Cattanach reported a string of thefts and attacks, including rims and tyres stolen from one of the organisation’s horse boxes and attempts by armed robbers to steal CCTV equipment from a security guard. The thieves also took a 400-litre freezer from the SPCA mortuary — an item the shelter said was crucial to its operations.
After the freezer was stolen, funds intended for kennel maintenance and other shelter improvements were redirected to urgent security measures. The shelter installed a secure razor wire gate, a protected gate motor and moved the mortuary inside the property to reduce vulnerability.
“Everything mentioned is only the tip of the iceberg. We’ve had hassles for the past 24 months. The criminals returned the following evening in an attempt to steal a second freezer from the mortuary. Anything and everything removable has been stolen, including our solar spotlight from the Wall of Remembrance,” Cattanach said.
She added animals have gone missing and that some cats were killed. Those claims underline the human and animal cost of repeated criminal acts against an already stretched welfare organisation.
Local consequences: less for animals as security costs rise
The SPCA said the financial burden of protecting its property has steadily increased, leaving less funding for direct animal care. Cattanach expressed frustration about the drain on resources and a desire for action regarding neighbouring properties she implied were a factor in the thefts.
- Rims and tyres stolen from a horse box
- Attempted theft of CCTV equipment during an armed robbery
- A 400-litre freezer taken from the mortuary
- Solar spotlight removed from the Wall of Remembrance
- Reported disappearances and killings of cats
The donation from Hot Cares will be channelled into those security and maintenance priorities identified by the SPCA. Cattanach thanked radio stations that have supported the shelter and its needs.
Table: Incidents and immediate security responses
| Incident | Immediate response |
|---|---|
| Tyres and rims stolen from horse box | Increased perimeter checks; funding reallocated for repairs |
| Attempted theft of CCTV equipment (armed robbery) | Heightened on-site security; protected gate motor installed |
| 400-litre freezer stolen from mortuary | Mortuary moved inside property; extra locks and razor wire added |
The SPCA did not provide a breakdown of how the R52 000 will be split across specific upgrades, but the organisation has already prioritised securing gates, motors and moving sensitive equipment inside the boundary to prevent further losses.
For Krugersdorp residents who volunteer, adopt or donate, the message from the SPCA is clear: community support remains vital. The ongoing thefts have shifted the charity’s focus from planned improvements to reacting to crime, a shift that threatens the welfare of animals in its care.
Cattanach’s account highlights broader questions about local safety and the costs borne by charities when crime escalates. The donation from Hot Cares provides immediate relief, but the SPCA’s warning that “everything mentioned is only the tip of the iceberg” suggests the organisation expects more sustained support and interventions to protect both people and animals at the shelter.
