Cape Town – A South African businessman and TikToker is facing criminal charges for allegedly force-feeding alcohol to fish in two separate TikTok videos.
The National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) has confirmed that they are finalising a case against him under the Animals Protection Act.
The videos, which were deleted but widely shared, showed him pouring beer into a fish’s mouth and forcing two fish together.
“The National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) will be laying criminal charges against the individual seen in a recent viral video pouring an alcoholic beverage, suspected to be beer, down the mouth of a common carp. The individual, publishing as ‘Lethabo_Sebapo’ on TikTok, has been tracked, and contacted, and the compilation of a docket is in its final stages,” the NSPCA said.
In another video, he is seen holding two fish and forcing their mouths to meet in a “kissing” position while remarking, “this one is thirsty.”
He has deleted the original video and left ones he thinks are ‘better’ https://t.co/MjdwyTirdc pic.twitter.com/gWR2IrbGmi
— Dineo (@JustDineo_) January 14, 2025
The man, who claimed his actions were for “fun,” is now under investigation.
“The individual admitted to the act and stated that his motivation was ‘fun’.
“The publisher, who describes himself on TikTok as ‘fun’, ‘entrepreneur’, ‘CEO’, and ‘innovative’, will face criminal charges under the Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962. Specific charges are in relation to sections 2(1)(a), (n), (q), and (r),” said the NSPCA.
It expressed concern over the rising trend of animal cruelty videos on platforms like TikTok and hopes this case will deter similar actions.
Public backlash has been strong, with many condemning the abuse.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
