NSPCA lays perjury charges in Tuli case

Brits - The NSPCA has laid charges against Brits businessman Craig Saunders for perjury after claiming that two statements he made in court contradicted each other. 

Saunders appeared as a witness for Riccardo Ghiazza of Africa Game Services during the seizure trial in the Brits Magistrate's Court late last year, when he stated under oath that he had not purchased any of the Tuli elephants, said National Council of the Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals spokeswoman Christine Kuch. 

She said this contradicted statements made by Saunders recently when applying to take possession of the five Tuli elephants which remained on the property at Africa Game Services under the legal custodianship of the NSPCA. 

She said he made a statement claiming he had paid Ghiazza R750 000 and signed an agreement to purchase the elephants prior to his evidence in the seizure case in October last year. 

Saunders could not be contacted for comment on Friday evening. 

Police spokesman Captain Garwin Geldenhuys was unable to confirm whether charges had been laid.