Port Elizabeth – The case against two circus owners and an employee from the well known Brian Boswell Circus has been postponed in the Port Elizabeth magistrate’s court.
Jane Boswell, her daughter Georgina and elephant handler David Marais are facing a string of charges for allegedly beating, chaining, confining and not providing sufficient water and shade to elephants between December 2012 and January 2013.
The accused did not appear in court on Wednesday. Their lawyer Shelby Roberts indicated that they could not be present due to prior work commitments in Pretoria.
The three are facing charges which relate to the contravention of the Animal Protection Act 71 of 1962.
In 2013, the National Council of SPCA laid criminal charges against the Boswell Circus for the alleged abuse of elephants at Walmer West Primary School in Port Elizabeth.
The school later withdrew permission for the circus to use its grounds.
Video footage which aired on television programme Carte Blanche during 2013 showed elephants chained, exposed to heat for hours and beaten with sticks.
A source close to the case told African News Agency that elephant handlers seen on the video footage were apparently fired and have since disappeared.
All three accused are out on warning.
The case was postponed until March 7 for further investigation.
African News Agency
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