On Friday (30 April) the Potchefstroom Regional Court ruled in favour of Modise on the 2014 matter, after her legal counsel, headed by Dali Mpofu, maintained there was insufficient evidence finding her directly to blame. Modise was accused of animal cruelty by the NSPCA after officials from the society discovered carcasses of geese, ducks, sheep, goats and 50 pigs on her Modderfontein farm in the North West during a spot check back in 2014. 

Reports indicate that a further 162 farm animals were left starving and in the end had to be euthanised. Andrew Leask, who is the head of AfriForum’s investigators in the private prosecution unit, expresses their reaction to the judgment.

 “We are disappointed with the judgment delivered on Friday, we’re of the opinion that there are enough grounds to seek remedy through an appeal. And have received instructions from the SPCA to proceed with such a process” says Leask.

The Potchefstroom Regional court determined it isn’t Modise who should be held liable for the animal cruelty and abuse, but rather the man she hired to look after the animals by the name of Thebogo Mokaedi. The caretaker testified that he wasn’t be paid enough by Modise to do the job.

It is not yet known when AfriForum will lodge the appeal.

OFM News