BUGGY BANDIETE BUSTED

A Mitchells Plain horse-and-cart rider has been arrested on charges of obstruction and attempting to evade justice after a dangerous pursuit to save a suffering pony.

What started as a routine wildlife rescue by the Cape of Good Hope SPCA in Westridge on Monday turned into a dramatic chase through traffic and a search in the Sweet Home informal settlement. 

According to the SPCA, Wildlife Rescue Officer Stephen Benjamin stopped a cart being pulled by a pony, carrying three manne and a vrag scrap metal. 

But after as Benjamin started taking down their information, the manne bolted, whipping the arme perdjie to force it forward. 

He called City of Cape Town’s Law Enforcement and Metro Police for assistance and they jaaged the buggy. 

With an official vehicle in pursuit, the fleeing trio veered into oncoming traffic to evade the law. 

During the chase, one ou was apprehended. The suspect was aggressive, threatened Officer Benjamin, and attempted to gooi klippe at him.

After losing the other two suspects se spore, Benjamin and the team tracked the horse diep tussen die hokkies before finding the wounded pony, still bleeding, in a stable. 

The SPCA explained: “As Officer Benjamin began documenting the evidence, the three men suddenly jumped back onto the cart and attempted to flee, whipping the pony to force it forward.

“The suspects dangerously veered into oncoming traffic and fled off-road, evading the patrol vehicle. 

"City Law Enforcement arrived shortly after, and one of the suspects was apprehended next to the road. 

"It was later discovered that the suspects had attempted to conceal the pony in a stable deep within the informal settlement in an effort to hide the animal from authorities. 

"Despite their efforts to evade justice, the team managed to locate the pony and immediately seized him.

"The pony was transported to the SPCA Horse Care Unit for veterinary treatment and safekeeping."

The arrested suspect was taken to Philippi SAPS and charged with obstruction and attempting to evade justice and the remaining two suspects are still at large.