Breaking! AfriForum To Privately Prosecute Thandi Modise For Animal Cruelty That Occurred On Her Farm In South Africa

Photo by Thomas Holder, EWN

AfriForum and the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) today announced during a media conference that Adv. Gerrie Nel, Head of the civil rights organization’s Private Prosecution Unit, will privately prosecute Thandi Modise, Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, the upper house of the Parliament of South Africa.

The NSPCA responded to a complaint received in July 2014 and came across one of the cruelest cases of animal abuse that the animal welfare organization had ever seen.

“AfriForum’s Private Prosecution Unit investigated the matter and concluded that there is prima facie evidence to successfully prosecute Modise,” Adv. Nel said in a statement. “It is essential to institute private prosecution to ensure that justice prevails.”

Modise’s farm, located in the North West town of Modderfontein, was littered with the carcasses of more than 50 pigs and other dead animals such as geese, ducks, sheep, and goats. The surviving animals, including pigs, sheep, chickens, and goats, were left without food and water and were in a state of desperation when they were discovered.

Tragically, the NSPCA had to euthanize 162 animals due to their deprived conditions.

“The animal abuse on Modise’s farm was some of the worst abuse that we ever had to deal with,” stated Marcelle Meredith, Executive Director at the NSPCA. “Many died of hunger.” 

The NSPCA has in terms of the Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1993 (Act No. 169 of 1993) the statutory powers to privately prosecute offenders.

The case is anticipated to begin in court within the next three months.