A Limpopo man, whose viral video of smoking marijuana from a bong containing a live snake shocked viewers, has been sentenced for his disturbing actions. Dirk de Jager, a resident of Modjadjiskloof, was caught on camera in a video that sparked outrage across social media. In the footage, de Jager is seen holding a jar with a live snake inside, and what appears to be a rolled cigarette protruding from the jar’s lid. He proceeds to tease the snake before lighting the cigarette and inhaling the smoke that accumulates in the sealed jar. The snake, visibly trapped inside, is subjected to the psychoactive smoke, an act that animal rights activists condemned as cruel and reprehensible.
The National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) swiftly responded to the video, which depicted the snake in a state of distress. According to NSPCA chief inspector Douglas Wolhuter, the video shows that the snake was not only trapped but also exposed to cannabis smoke, which could harm the animal. “Throughout the remainder of the video, the jar, still containing the live snake, remains full of smoke,” Wolhuter stated. The NSPCAβs investigation led to de Jagerβs identification and arrest in August 2024. He was charged with animal cruelty for his treatment of the snake, which was subjected to an unnatural and harmful environment for the sake of a social media stunt.
De Jager pleaded guilty to the charges in October 2024, and the Kgapane Magistrate’s Court handed down a sentence of 30 days in prison or a fine of R20,000, which was suspended for 12 months. This means that de Jager will avoid serving jail time unless he commits a similar offense within the next year. The relatively light sentence, however, has sparked criticism from animal rights groups, including the NSPCA, who feel it does not adequately reflect the severity of the crime. NSPCA senior inspector DuΓ‘n Matthee, who helped track down de Jager, expressed disappointment with the leniency of the court’s ruling, emphasizing that de Jagerβs actions were both disturbing and harmful to the animal involved.
Wolhuter, in particular, found the video footage of de Jagerβs actions “absolutely appalling,” noting that the act of exposing the snake to cannabis smoke not only violated animal welfare laws but also showed a lack of empathy and disregard for the creatureβs well-being. βThe NSPCA is absolutely appalled by De Jagerβs abhorrent actions and finds it reprehensible that anyone could participate in behavior such as this,” said Wolhuter. Despite the leniency of the sentence, the NSPCA expressed gratitude that de Jager was held accountable for his actions, which were made all the more disturbing by the fact that the video was widely circulated on social media, further promoting the dangerous stunt.
This case has sparked wider conversations around animal cruelty, social media culture, and the responsibility that individuals have towards the creatures they interact with. While the NSPCA is pleased that de Jager faced consequences, many believe the legal system needs to take stronger action against those who harm animals for the sake of shock value or entertainment. Animal rights activists are calling for tougher laws and more severe punishments for those who abuse animals in such reckless and harmful ways.
For now, the fate of the snake, which was subjected to such treatment for the sake of a viral video, remains unclear. It is yet to be determined what happened to the animal after the incident, but de Jagerβs sentence serves as a reminder of the need for stricter regulations regarding animal welfare in South Africa. Although de Jagerβs punishment may seem lenient to some, the case has undeniably raised awareness about the importance of protecting animals from exploitation, especially in the digital age where such incidents can be broadcast to millions with little thought to the consequences.