NSPCA to appeal judgement

Former House Speaker Thandi Modise – Photo: GCIS / Flickr

NSPCA to appeal after Thandi Modise acquitted of animal cruelty charges

The NSPCA has instructed their legal team to appeal the judgement against Thandi Modise after she was acquitted of animal cruelty charges.

NSPCA to appeal judgement

Former House Speaker Thandi Modise – Photo: GCIS / Flickr

The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) are set to appeal the judgement handed down to Thandi Modise on Friday.

Modise, speaker of the National Assembly in Parliament, was acquitted of all six charges relating to animal cruelty in the Potchefstroom Regional Court today, 30 April.

The court determined the man she hired to look after the animals “failed in his duties” when he left the farm complaining that he hadn’t been paid and that he should be held responsible. 

In 2014, the NSPCA filed charges against Modise after it found scores of dead animals on her North West farm.

Marcelle Meredith, NSPCA Executive Director, said in a statement on their Facebook page that the organisation will be appealing the judgement.

“The NSPCA has instructed Mr Nel and the legal team of Afriforum to appeal the judgement handed down by the Potchefstroom Magistrates court today. This is a complete travesty of justice for the animals that suffered and died a horrendous death, but we will not give up.”

“We are indebted to Advocate Gerrie Nel and the legal team of Afriforum for their great efforts in assisting us with the private prosecution, ” said Meredith.

‘ANIMALS INDEED SUFFERED AND DIED’

The NSPCA added that there has been overwhelming evidence that proves animals indeed suffered and died on the accused’s farm- “this is a fact that has never been denied by the accused’s defence team”.

This week Dr Sameer Abbas and a farm worker Thebogo Mokaedi testified about “the horrible circumstances “on Modise’s farm when the local DBV intervened in 2014.

“After almost seven years of pursuing justice for the animals that were subjected to heinous cruelty on her farm, the NSPCA is extremely disappointed that Thandi Modise has been acquitted of all charges of animal cruelty brought against her,” said Meredith.

READ: Thandi Modise back in court on animal cruelty charges