Johannesburg - The National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) has accused Thandi Modise of “ducking and diving” its probe of starving animals on her North West farm, who were apparently left for over two weeks without food and water.
Andries Venter, who runs the NSPCA’s farm animal unit, said:
“If she had already given her statement to the police, then this docket would have been in court already.”
Modise, the former North West premier, is the chairwoman of the National Council of Provinces.
In July, SPCA investigators encountered horrific conditions on the farm – surviving pigs had started to cannibalise dead pigs and were reportedly drinking their own urine. Sheep, goats, geese and ducks had to be put down, while others were confiscated. The SPCA opened a case of neglect and cruelty to animals.
But Modise’s adviser, Bejani Chauke, accused the NSPCA of “entertaining the media”.
“We are waiting for the investigating officer. He told us he has been assigned to do other work.
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The investigating officer could not be reached for comment on Friday.
Venter acknowledged the case may “not be a priority case” for the police.
Saturday Star