Chicken carcasses littering Amanzimtoti’s popular beaches have sparked outrage among residents, who say ongoing ritual slaughters are scaring off tourists and threatening public health.
During the recent holidays and long weekends, out-of-town visitors watched in horror as chickens and goats were slaughtered on public beaches, a weekly ritual in which groups gather and often leave behind animal remains.
Locals say beach authorities are quick to remove jumping castles, photographers and flea markets, yet ignore ritual animal slaughter despite bylaws prohibiting it.
Karen Adams, who lives in Winklespruit on the KwaZulu-Natal south coast, said the local rock pools, a big attraction for children, became a site for the proposed slaughter of a goat and three chickens on Workers Day.
“Guests came back from the beach highly upset about a goat and three chickens seen with a group of, I assume, churchgoers,” Adams said. “A fire was also lit among the rocks. They complained to me as they are from Gauteng and not used to such things. I took photos and a video.
“I phoned our local SPCA. The assistant said they would check, but unfortunately there's not much they can do without an eThekwini Metro case number. After two attempts, I finally spoke to a metro officer who listened and gave a reference number,” she said.
Adams had to leave for an appointment, so she wasn’t sure if any authorities arrived at the scene.
Another resident, who did not want to be named, told the Sunday Times: “Every weekend I call police and every weekend I’m given a reference number but nothing happens. I’ve witnessed far more slaughter on the beach than anyone should. It happens at all hours, and there’s no good time to avoid it because people come and go like a revolving door.”
Resident Carol Lane started rescuing chickens from the beach about seven years ago. She has lost count of the number. “I don't think stopping this practice is high on our local authorities’ agenda,” she said. “I have campaigned on social media for years, raising the ire of certain authorities. Holidaymakers, apart from all the E coli around, don't wish to come to a tourism beach and see goats and chickens being slaughtered.”
The president of the Umsamo Institute and University of KwaZulu-Natal African healing and religion and ancestral studies honorary professor, Velaphi Mkhize, said slaughter on a public beach was wrong and most likely conducted by a “fly-by-night sangoma”.
“While animal sacrifice is a part of African traditional healing, it should always be conducted in a clean, respectful manner, away from public spaces like beaches,” he said. “A true sangoma would never perform such rituals in public places, as it goes against the principles of cleanliness and respect for nature.”
Cultural expert Prof Sihawukele Ngubane said cleansing ceremonies are usually performed at night or in the early hours of the morning, in private.
“Animal sacrifice is a protected cultural practice in South African law, which guarantees freedom of religion and cultural expression. This practice does not warrant controversy,” he said. “As far as the government is concerned, it is prudent that more awareness is created to promote tolerance and respect for cultural heritage. Visitors need to exercise caution in creating controversies when they deal with such a sensitive matter. The belief system of any society defines its DNA.
“The issue of spirituality is an essential part of intangible cultural heritage that government is obligated to protect and preserve for generations to come. We owe it to the citizens of South Africa to promote and protect our cultures and traditions.”
Dumisani Mkhwanazi, founder and chair of Abelaphi Bendabuko Base-Afrika and a traditional healer based in Umlazi, said the issue was the “loss of access” to sacred spaces.
“Our sacred spaces have been reduced to places of leisure and entertainment when for us the ocean has deep spiritual significance,” he said. “But unfortunately in South Africa our rights to access our natural heritage has been deeply degraded and undervalued. Even now our mountains and rivers are found behind fences and private property signs.
“We respond to the calls of our spirits and ancestors and seek their permission before we access these sacred spaces. But the Western model of ownership over nature and land is diametrically opposed to the indigenous view of nature as sacred.
“And in a context where there isn't quite an equality in how communal rights are protected and honoured, this must force local government to address the historical dispossession suffered by us.”
eThekwini municipal spokesperson Gugu Sisilana said breaking the bylaw could result in a R1,000 fine. “According to the beaches bylaw, no person may bring any animal on to any part of the beach area except with the written permission of the municipality; or where a notice is displayed allowing animals; or where a person is authorised by the municipality to bring such animal for the purposes of ritual slaughter; or if the animal is a guide dog required to assist a visually impaired person.”
Sisilana urged residents to forward their complaints to the municipality.
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