The National Council of Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) in South Africa has announced plans to file criminal charges against a TikTok user, Lethabo_Sebapo, who allegedly forced alcohol, believed to be beer, into the mouth of a fish in a widely circulated video.
The disturbing video shows Lethabo_Sebapo holding a fish while laughing and pouring the beverage into its mouth. This act has sparked widespread outrage online. The NSPCA has confirmed that the case file is nearing completion.
“The publisher, who describes himself on TikTok as ‘fun, entrepreneur, CEO and innovative,’ will face criminal charges under the Animals Protection Act,” stated the NSPCA. “We hope this prosecution will serve as a deterrent, discouraging people not only from publishing acts of animal cruelty as a form of entertainment but also from committing them.”
The NSPCA has contacted Lethabo_Sebapo, who admitted to the act, dismissing it as “fun”. The organisation expressed deep concern over the alarming trend of animal cruelty being depicted on social media for entertainment purposes.
“The NSPCA is heartened by the widespread condemnation of the person’s actions, which reflects the compassion many South Africans feel for animals — including fish, who are often overlooked in their capacity for sentience and suffering,” the organisation added.
The NSPCA aims to use this case to underscore the seriousness of animal cruelty and demonstrate that such behaviour will not be tolerated.
