Modise was dragged to court by the civil rights organisation AfriForum after carcasses of animals were found on her farm in 2014. Andrew Leask, who is the head of AfriForum’s investigators at the private prosecution unit, says they are disappointed by the regional court’s decision.

Leask says there is enough evidence to seek a remedy through an appeal on the matter.

“We have already received instructions from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) to proceed with such a process,” he adds.

Modise was accused of animal cruelty when carcasses of geese, ducks, sheep and goats were, amongst others, found at her farm in 2014 during a visit by the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA), following a tip-off. 

Leask previously told OFM News that the charges she faced carried a sentence of not more than twelve months and a fine not exceeding R4000. OFM News reported that 162 starving animals were left to fend for themselves and eventually had to be euthanised on Modise's farm near Potchefstroom. The report further said that the carcasses of over 50 pigs were discovered across the farm.

 OFM News