Staff at a Khayelitsha Animal Clinic were beaten up and mugged while attempting to do good in the community. Yesterday, four staff members at the Mdzananda Animal Clinic were busy building fences around the homes of those who wish to adopt dogs, when gunmen arrived and held them at gunpoint, before fleeing with several goods including personal items.

Mthobeli Mgumane, Tabo Noko, Magcinandile Mzondi and Lynton Adams were the victims. The attackers took off with a generator, tools, wallets, cellphones and car keys. Two of the victims were rushed to a medical facility. The clinic’s Marcelle du Plessis says she’s shattered and explains what happened:

“Our four staff members were brutally attacked by three men with guns. One of them was beaten over the head. The other one was beaten on his back with hammers and tools. Luckily the other two got away unharmed. Both of our staff members who were beaten had to be rushed to the emergency room for medical assistance.”

CLOSE CALL WITH DEATH

It’s understood Magcinandile suffered a haematoma and required stitches on his head. Tabo has multiple contusions to his back.

The organisation recently launched “The Fencing Project” – an initiative to build fences around community members’ yards. The aim is to create safer homes for people who want to adopt dogs.

As a result of this incident, staffers are now afraid to continue with the project. The matter has since been reported to police, who have yet to secure arrests.

“This is a situation which has broken my heart. I feel for our staff who have had to go through this. They have all admitted that they have had terrible nights. They didn’t sleep at all last night. But, to me, it’s mainly heartbreaking because this fencing project can make such a difference in the lives of so many people, to reach their dreams of adopting a little dog, and to so many dogs who could have had a good home. Now, we’re in a space where we are scared of going out and setting up these fences.”

DONATIONS REQUIRED

The clinic has called for donations to help cover the costs of replacing the generator, tools, car keys, personal items and to pay for medical bills. Any donations can be made to Mdzananda Animal Clinic, Standard Bank, Account 075595710, Branch 025009, Savings Account, Reference: robbery + your name.

Other donation portals and SnapScan codes are available on https://www.mdzananda.co.za/donate-ctzx

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