CT port let Al-Kuwait ship dock for the animals' safety
The controversial ship causing the stench over Cape Town has departed.
The NSPCA said it was alerted to a vessel called the Al Kuwait carrying about 19,000 cattle that was travelling from Brazil to the Cape Town harbour to load food for animals onboard on 19 Feberuay 2024. Picture: Supplied/NSPCA
John Maytham speaks with Rajesh Dana, Cape Town port manager.
Listen the interview in the audio below.
A cattle ship off the coast of Cape Town caused a horrendous smell across the city.
This brought attention to the terrible conditions of the animals on the ship and prompted an NSPCA investigation.
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There were also concerns for the people on board who were under similar conditions.
Many people were outraged after learning about the conditions on the ship and felt it should not have been allowed to dock.
Dana says that the ship did ask for permission to dock, specifically citing the need to stock up on animal feed and other supplies for the animals.
He says that when they received the request, they followed protocol which requires them to get approval from other state entities which confirm that the vessel is safe to dock in our ports.
He adds that they believed allowing the ship to dock was imperative for the safety of the animals.
“We engaged collectively with the NSPCA… the feeling was that our priority should be to ensure wellbeing of the vessel and animals, and ensure the vessel leaves the port as soon as possible.”
- Rajesh Dana, Cape Town port manager
In addition to this, he says that it would have been extremely complicated and risky to try and stop the ship from leaving and disembarking the animals.