The Cape of Good Hope SPCA has uncovered a case of fraud after Eric Victor Du Preez attempted to secure a position at its organisation by falsely claiming to be a qualified SPCA Inspector.
Thankfully, due to the SPCA’s strict vetting processes, the deception was uncovered before any harm could be done.
A Tale of Two CVs
In June 2025, Du Preez applied for an Animal Health Technician post at the Cape of Good Hope SPCA.
At that time, he made no mention of being an SPCA Inspector.
Two months later, in August 2025, he applied for a different post – this time claiming to be a Qualified NSPCA Inspector & Field Officer, and a registered Animal Welfare Assistant with the South African Veterinary Council (SAVC).
To back up his lies, he submitted what appeared to be an official NSPCA Inspector Competency Certificate.
Verification Uncovers Fraud
As is its duty in terms of the SPCA Act, the Cape of Good Hope SPCA contacted the NSPCA to verify his credentials.
It was immediately confirmed that:
- The applicant had never attended or completed Inspector training
- The certificate was fraudulent
- The signatures of NSPCA officials on the document were forged
Affidavits have since been provided by the NSPCA Chairperson and the Training Unit Manager confirming the forgeries.
Interview and Arrest
On 3 September 2025, Du Preez arrived at the Cape of Good Hope SPCA for an interview.
During the process, he doubled down on his lies, claiming he qualified as an Inspector in 2021, that he had no criminal record, and that he was SAVC-registered.
He even produced additional falsified documents from his mobile phone, including supposed SAVC registration papers and UNISA certificates.
By then, the Grassy Park SAPS and City of Cape Town Law Enforcement: Animal Control Unit had been alerted, and they were ready, waiting to arrest him.
He was arrested after the interview and is still in custody.
He will bring an application for bail on 19 September 2025 in the Wynberg Magistrates’ Court.
A Wider Pattern of Deception
Further investigation revealed that the individual is already facing multiple fraud-related cases across Cape Town, with at least eight police dockets pending under the Veterinary and Para-Veterinary Professions Act and other laws.
A Message from the Cape of Good Hope SPCA
“Our inspectors are entrusted with powers of search, seizure, and arrest under the Animals Protection Act.
“Fraudulently posing as an SPCA Inspector is not only criminal, it is dangerous.
“It undermines the trust the public places in us and could place animals and people at risk.
“We want to assure the public that every Inspector undergoes rigorous training with the NSPCA, and all credentials are carefully verified.
“This fraudster was caught before any damage could be done, said Chief Inspector Jaco Pieterse.
Protecting Public Trust
The Cape of Good Hope SPCA has laid charges of fraud, uttering, contraventions of the Veterinary and Para-Veterinary Professions Act, and contraventions of the SPCA Act 169 of 1993.
The SPCA reminded the public that all Inspectors carry official SPCA identification, duly signed and authorised by their Magistrate.
If you are ever in doubt about the legitimacy of an Inspector, please contact the SPCA directly for verification.
Call for Information
The SPCA has called on the public to come forward with any information relating to Eric Victor Du Preez that could assist in further advancing the cases against him.
Any veterinary-related information can be reported to Dina-Mari Scholtz at the South African Veterinary Council via email at director.legalaffairs@savc.org.za.
Any animal cruelty-related matters in Cape Town where Du Preez is involved can be reported directly to our Inspectorate by emailing Chief Inspector Jaco Pieterse at chiefinspector@spca-ct.co.za
The SPCA concluded by saying that this matter is firmly in the public interest.
“We do not want any more people to be defrauded, nor do we want animals to be subjected to the risk of being handled by someone falsely claiming to be a veterinarian or an SPCA Inspector.”
Have you ever adopted a pet through the SPCA?
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