×

We've got news for you.

Register on SowetanLIVE at no cost to receive newsletters, read exclusive articles & more.
Register now

NSPCA says high-raking officer dragging heels on Modise charges

The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) on Wednesday bemoaned what it called a lack of progress in a case involving Thandi Modise.

In a statement‚ the welfare organisation said “over a year has passed since the dreadful day of discovery of the extent and degree of suffering on the farm” owned by National Council of Provinces chairperson Modise.

“Yet the people who caused the horror are yet to face their day in court.”

The organisation said that “in remembrance of the starved creatures who perished‚ the NSPCA submits an overview of the issue and aims to raise awareness of the abuse that took place on the farm”.

It said the case has not yet been handed over to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP)‚ “despite it being investigated by a high ranking officer”.

The NSPCA said it had lodged charges in terms of the Animals Protection Act against Modise in July 2014‚ and‚ on seeking a progress report‚ had “been advised at one stage that the docket had been submitted to the DPP”‚ who denied receiving it.

The NSPCA said it was then told the docket had been escalated to a “General Tsumane‚ who was investigating the case” and “informed the NSPCA the docket would be handed over to the DPP at the end of August 2015”.

Last week‚ the NSPCA said‚ Tsumane advised it that “statements still had not been obtained and the docket has still not been handed over to the DPP”.

“The public and our supporters are assured that the NSPCA will pursue this issue relentlessly and will do whatever it takes‚ in the interest of the animals that suffered on the farm of horrors‚ to bring the accused to book‚” the NSPCA said.

The NSPCA said last year that animals on Modise’s Modderfontein farm in the North West Province were “suffering to the point of starvation and resorting to eating one another”.

Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.