Witness Gives Evidence on Conditions at Thandi Modise’s Farm
- The animal cruelty case against national assembly speaker Thandi Modise continued on Thursday in the North West province
- A veterinarian and witness, Sameer Abbas also gave his account of the conditions at Modderfontein farm owned by Modise
- Media reports also suggest that Modise left some of the animals to die whilst some were already dead when Abbas visited
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National Assembly speaker Thandi Modise’s case on animal cruelty continued at the Potchefstroom Regional Court on Thursday.
The court heard a witness account of the conditions at the farm regarding the animals that were found at Modise’s farm back in 2014.
It is reported that a number of carcasses were found on Modise's Modderfontein farm where it appeared the livestock were left unattended without food or water for several weeks.
According to EWN, about fifty pigs were found dead, and more than 100 other animals had to be euthanised.
AfriForum’s chief investigator, Andrew Leask, recently said that Dr Sameer Abbas, a veterinarian, and a former employee at the farm shared the details on the condition of the animals. Leask was quoted by IOL:
“His evidence centred mainly on his personal experiences of what the dire situation was in which the animals were found on Modise’s farm.
“Testimony indicated that animals had suffered from muscle loss and anaemia, resulting from lack of food. Some of the carcasses were in an advanced stage of decay. He also detected evidence of the animals feeding on the carcasses.”
Meanwhile, Abbas’ testimony was more on the appalling conditions on Modise's Modderfontein farm in the North West province, also known as Bokone Bophirima.
Moreover, the experienced animal doctor testified that some of the animals were still alive but were just skin and bone.
EWN further reports that a second witness Thebogo Mokaedi worked on the farm for about two months but only ever received a payment of R200.
He said he left when he was no longer able to feed himself and has testified that at the time, several animals were already dead, while others were so starved and that their chances to survive became very slim.
Meanwhile, the veteran ANC politician faces six counts of contravening the Animal Protection Act but the outspoken leader has denied any wrongdoing and has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Source: Twitter
Briefly News previously reported that Modise and National Council of Provinces (NCOP) chairperson Amos Masondo, were scheduled to appear before the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture.
Parliamentary spokesperson Moloto Mothapo had confirmed earlier that Modise and Masondo were set to appear at the Zondo Commission to reveal Parliament’s perspective and insight on state capture.
In a statement, Mothapo stated that both Modise and Masondo were hopeful that their appearance and input will support the Commission in fulfilling its mandate.
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Source: Briefly News
