'Bobby the Dog' cruelty case continues after bid to drop influencer's charges fails - IOL

Rescued dog Bobby shows her healthy recovery as the animal cruelty court case against influencer Sasha-Lee Kgasago and Elliot Tshigo continues in Boksburg.

Attempts by attorneys representing social media influencer Tshiamo “Sasha-Lee” Kgasago have failed to get the animal cruelty charges against their client dropped, the National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) announced on September 17. 

In an update published on September 17, the NSPCA said: “Attempts by Tshiamo ‘Sasha-Lee’ Kgasago’s attorneys to have the charges against her dropped failed.”

Kgasago and Bobby’s previous owner, Elliot Tshigo, are expected to return to the Boksburg Magistrates’ Court on November 13.

The latest development follows Kgasago being added as a second accused on June 18.

The NSPCA said it had pushed for her to be charged under the Animals Protection Act over her alleged failure to seek assistance for Bobby after the dog appeared visibly emaciated in the background of her video.

Bobby, the malnourished dog rescued by the NSPCA after a viral video exposed her living conditions, sparked a nationwide animal cruelty investigation.

South Africans became aware of Bobby in June 2025 when media influencer Tshiamo Kgasago posted a social media video of herself dancing.

Behind her, viewers noticed an extremely thin dog sitting in the background.

The animal quickly became the focus of the video as concerned social media users shared the footage and contacted animal welfare organisations. Online users gave the dog the name Bobby.

Hundreds of reports were made to the NSPCA, prompting its Special Projects Unit to track down the dog.

Inspectors later found Bobby severely malnourished, suffering from fly strike, and covered in ticks and fleas. The NSPCA said she had resorted to eating plastic in an attempt to survive.

The organisation removed Bobby from the property and placed her in the care of the Nigel SPCA before she was transferred to the Boksburg SPCA, where she could receive veterinary care.

Her condition began to improve over the weeks that followed. Bobby gained weight, recovered from her injuries and was eventually adopted into a new home.

When the matter first appeared in the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court on March 25, 2026, it emerged that the accused before the court was not Kgasago but Bobby’s previous owner, Tshigo.

Tshigo later appeared in court on April 28, where he indicated his intention was to plead not guilty to the animal cruelty charges laid against him.

The case changed again on June 18 when the State added Kgasago as a second accused.

The NSPCA said it had pushed for Tshiamo Kgasago to be charged under the Animals Protection Act, arguing that she had failed to seek assistance for Bobby despite the dog being visibly emaciated in the video.

Neither accused has been convicted, and the allegations against them remain before the court.

Fully recovered rescue dog Bobby relaxes in her new home, following her successful rehabilitation by the Boksburg SPCA.

September's NSPCA update indicates that Kgasago’s legal representatives subsequently sought to have the charges against her withdrawn. That attempt was unsuccessful.

“The case for both the influencer and Bobby’s previous owner will be going ahead,” the NSPCA said.

Both accused are now expected to return to the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court on November 13.

The NSPCA continues its legal fight for Bobby, pushing for accountability under the Animals Protection Act in the ongoing Boksburg Magistrate's Court trial.

For Bobby, the circumstances that first brought her to public attention have changed dramatically. The dog, once seen thin and unwell in the background of a viral video, has recovered and been re-homed.