Animal rescue workers 'deeply traumatised' after attack during community outreach

A team from the Animal Rescue Organisation (ARO) in Cape Town were put through a frightening ordeal during a routine day of community veterinary outreach this week.

Staff members were attacked and robbed near the Siyahlala Clinic, close to Brown’s Farm in Philippi.

The organisation has subsequently decided to halt the operations of both its mobile clinics for the rest of 2025.

ARO describes how team members were surrounded by about nine men, who started to twist their arms and hit them repeatedly, attempting to force them into the mobile clinic vehicle with the apparent intention of moving them to a second location.

"In a moment of immense courage, our team fought back against being moved, preventing what could have become a far more dangerous situation."

The criminals succeeded in stealing personal cell phones, driver’s licenses, and other belongings.

Although shaken, bruised and concussed, the victims of the attack are now physically 'safe', but left traumatised, ARO says.

Following the attack, the decision was made to immediately ground its mobile clinics.

“Every year, ARO grounds our mobile clinics for part of December... a period that carries a higher risk for violent crime.. In light of this incident and with the year-end approaching, we have made the difficult decision to ground both our mobile clinics for the rest of 2025."

With the weekly mobile services now halted, the organisation invited community members to visit their full-service clinic in Ottery, which remains open throughout the festive season.

"What happened was unacceptable, frightening, and heartbreaking, especially to a team that shows up every single day to support animals and families in underserved communities."