A 57-year-old Welbedacht West man appeared in the Chatsworth Magistrate’s Court and was granted bail of R500 after the district surgeon found him mentally fit to stand trial on a charge of bestiality.
Joseph Driman faces a charge under Section 13 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act. He was arrested after neighbours allegedly witnessed him committing a sexual act with an animal in the Welbedacht West area.
According to the court from his recent appearance on Monday, the matter was adjourned for a preliminary report from the district surgeon. The surgeon, Dr S Govender, confirmed that Driman was mentally fit to stand trial. The State indicated it was not opposed to bail. Driman has no pending cases or previous convictions and was able to afford the bail amount.
The case was postponed to 9 July 2026 for further investigation.
Animal Guardians representative Vanessa Botha expressed strong disappointment with the bail decision.
“To be honest I find it a disgrace that this person has been allowed to be put back out on the streets. How many more innocent animals are going to be harmed during this time and the trial date,” Botha said.
Botha added that she was angry and disappointed with the outcome so far.
“If this were a child abuse case, that person would be behind bars till the trial. Animals are just as innocent as children. They should be protected by the law as much as a child would be. This case needs to be made an example that bestiality will not be tolerated. Cos if not now, then when?”
Driman’s family declined to comment when approached outside the court.
