After years of evading authorities, Ncubeko Hloni, widely known as the “Dunoon puppy seller”, has been convicted and sentenced following his arrest for animal cruelty, illegally selling animals and escaping from lawful custody.
On 2 September 2026, the 22-year-old appeared before Magistrate Nemuhuyuni in the Cape Town Central Magistrates’ Court.
Former Cape of Good Hope SPCA Chief Inspector Jaco Pieterse, now a candidate attorney at Gishen McLeod Attorneys, was again present to see the matter through to its conclusion.
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Guilty Plea After Nine Months in Custody
Hloni had been held in custody since his re-arrest on 1 December 2025 following his escape from lawful police custody.
At an earlier appearance on 27 August 2026, he pleaded guilty in terms of section 112 of the Criminal Procedure Act. Pieterse addressed the court in aggravation of sentence on behalf of the State.
The prosecutor told the court that the State was shocked by the manner in which Hloni had handled the animals and regarded the offences as serious. Direct imprisonment was requested. The State also asked the court to declare Hloni unfit to be in charge of any animal in terms of section 3(1)(c) of the Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962.
During the proceedings, Hloni admitted that he bought the animals for R150 and then resold them for R300.
The Sentence
Hloni was sentenced as follows:
The three sentences will run concurrently. As the fine could not be paid, Hloni will serve the term of imprisonment.
Two Puppies Found in Distress
The charges followed an incident on 29 November 2025, when members of the public saw Hloni attempting to sell a puppy on Main Road in Green Point.
The puppy appeared lethargic and unwell.
When concerned bystanders intervened, Hloni refused to hand the puppy over and attempted to flee.
As members of the public apprehended him, a frustrated Hloni attempted to strangle the puppy. During the struggle, Hloni broke the puppy’s leg.
A second puppy was subsequently discovered inside Hloni’s backpack, which had been zipped closed without ventilation.
This puppy was also lethargic and in poor condition.
A compassionate member of the public immediately rushed both puppies to a private veterinarian.
They were examined, treated and subsequently placed safely in the care of the Cape of Good Hope SPCA.
Escape From Sea Point SAPS
Hloni was taken to Sea Point SAPS, where SPCA Inspectors intended laying criminal charges.
While in custody, he asked to use the bathroom and was escorted there by a SAPS member.
He was left alone despite the bathroom having a small, unsecured window without burglar bars.
Hloni climbed through the window and escaped.
The SPCA immediately issued a citywide alert and offered a R5 000 reward for information leading to his arrest and successful prosecution.
Cape Town responded
On the morning of 1 December 2025, Dunoon residents recognised and contained Hloni before alerting the SPCA.
Pieterse mobilised City Law Enforcement and local security groups, who secured him until Table View SAPS took him into custody.
“This city pays attention. There is no hiding from a community that refuses to look away,” Pieterse said following the re-arrest.
A History of Exploiting Animals
This was not the first time Hloni had come to the SPCA’s attention.
In 2023, the SPCA received repeated reports about an animal hawker operating near the Malibongwe Drive bridge in Dunoon.
In one especially disturbing incident, Hloni placed a string around a rabbit’s neck and swung the animal through the air like a yo-yo in the middle of traffic, apparently in an attempt to attract the attention of motorists.
After more than a month of reports, attempted interventions and repeated escapes, the SPCA, with assistance from a member of the public and the City’s Law Enforcement Animal Control Unit, secured his arrest on 16 March 2023.
The case was delayed after Hloni was released on bail and disappeared. A warrant for his arrest was issued at the time.
In 2024, he again managed to outrun Law Enforcement officers during a sting operation.
His re-arrest in December 2025 allowed the criminal justice process to move forward.
The Cape of Good Hope SPCA remained committed throughout. Pieterse attended each of Hloni’s court appearances to help ensure that the case remained on track and that the suffering of the animals involved was not forgotten.
Selling Animals Without Authorisation Is Illegal
The public is reminded that selling or offering animals for sale without the City of Cape Town’s required authorisation is an offence under the Animal Keeping By-law.
The by-law provides that keeping, breeding or selling animals as part of a business or economic activity requires prior authorisation from the City. It also prohibits displaying or exhibiting an animal for financial gain in a public space or public road without a permit.
The Cape of Good Hope SPCA does not have the authority to enforce municipal by-laws. Members of the public who witness the unauthorised sale of animals should report it to the City of Cape Town on 021 480 7700.
Please do not buy an animal simply to remove it from a roadside seller.
Although the intention may be compassionate, each purchase creates demand and allows the trade, and the suffering associated with it, to continue.
Instead, record photographic or video evidence where it is safe to do so and report the incident.
Report Animal Cruelty
If you witness or suspect animal cruelty or neglect, please do not look away. Your report could be the difference between continued suffering and an animal receiving the help they desperately need.
Contact the Cape of Good Hope SPCA Inspectorate as soon as possible:
During office hours: 021 700 4158/9
After hours: 083 326 1604
SPCA Inspectorate responds to reports of animal cruelty and neglect 24 hours a day.
