A Cape Town court has sentenced Eric Victor du Preez to 12 months in prison for fraud. He admitted to posing as a qualified SPCA inspector and submitting fake credentials to the Cape of Good Hope SPCA....Click to Read More >>➤

The investigation began in August 2025. Officials detected serious irregularities in Du Preez’s job application. This discovery triggered a full probe into his background.

Falsified Credentials Uncovered

Du Preez’s application claimed he held NSPCA inspector training. He also presented a fraudulent South African Veterinary Council (SAVC) registration. His application included what he said were UNISA qualifications.

All these documents were later proven to be forgeries. Routine verification checks with the National Council of SPCAs confirmed the deception. The council confirmed Du Preez never completed any official inspector training.

The NSPCA certificate he provided was entirely fraudulent. Investigators found that the signatures on the document were also forged. This evidence led to his arrest by police in September 2025.

Authorities uncovered more forged documents during a follow-up interview. This solidified the case against him.

Guilty Plea and Court Sentencing

On 27 October 2025, Eric Victor du Preez entered a formal plea and sentence agreement. This was done under section 105A of the Criminal Procedure Act. He faced a total of 32 criminal counts.

The charges included fraud, forgery, and contraventions of the Veterinary and Para-Veterinary Professions Act. He was also charged with impersonation under the SPCA Act.

The court delivered concurrent sentences for the multiple counts. This resulted in an effective prison term of one year. The judge also issued a suspended fine.

Chief Inspector Jaco Pieterse led the investigation for the SPCA. He stated that such impersonations threaten animal welfare and public trust. He emphasized the need for vigilance.

“This case highlights the importance of thorough vetting and verification processes,” Pieterse said.

The Cape of Good Hope SPCA issued a strong statement following the sentencing. The organization stressed that its statutory powers are critical. These include search, seizure, and arrest authority.

The society insists these powers must remain exclusively with legitimate, fully-trained SPCA inspectors. This is essential to protect both animals and the communities they serve. The case serves as a warning to others who might attempt similar fraud.

The conviction reinforces the legal consequences of impersonating an SPCA inspector. It also underscores the robust verification processes that reputable organizations have in place. ...Click to Read More >>➤