The RMIF says it has a direct and substantial legal interest in the matter and might even be affected by the judgment of the court. It therefore has taken stance that any action to prevent the transport of livestock should be supported if any basis of cruelty can be proven. This comes after the NSPCA was successful in its application in the Grahamstown High Court to prevent the loading of 70 000 sheep destined for the Middle East. The sheep would have been loaded in East London on the Al Mes-si-lah vessel. Meg Wilson, public relations executive at the NSPCA, says they were victorious, but the battle is far from over. OFM News' Christal-Lize Muller spoke to her...

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The NSPCA applied for an urgent interim interdict against Al Mawashi, the Kuwaiti company who owns the Al Messilah vessel. The case was heard on an urgent basis last week in the Grahamstown High Court, following the unexpected arrival of the vessel in East London in the Eastern Cape. 

She says the NSPCA had already applied for an interdict and the application was set down for July 16 this year. When the Al Messilah vessel approached the South African coast line, the NSPCA had to act swiftly to ensure an urgent application was heard before the sheep were loaded. 

The court ruled in favor of the NSPCA and the interim interdict was confirmed together with a order for costs in favour of the NSPCA. This interdict stands pending the hearing next month. Meanwhile Al Mawashi may not transport any sheep from the feedlot or any sheep from South Africa. 

Wilson says the NSPCA is opposed to the live export of animals by sea, and the fight is not over yet, although they are happy with the victory achieved for now.  

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