‘Modise is responsible for animal cruelty’

THE Speaker of the House in Parliament, Thandi Modise, appeared in Potchefstroom Magistrate’s Court last Monday.

It was alleged she contravened SPCA laws and faces 200 charges brought to court by Afri-Forum in a private prosecution bid.

It is alleged that in 2014, about 50 animals (mostly pigs) died because of lack of food and water – due to abject neglect on a farm owned by Modise.

When confronted by SPCA officials, she claimed she had a farm manager and that she was too busy with parliamentary work.

Farm employees also lamented that they were underpaid by Modise.

To add to the gravity and enormity of this sinful situation, Modise receives a total annual remuneration of R3 million (about R250 000 a month and this excludes parliamentary perks).

While the Speaker is eating her daily nutritious and sumptuous meals, her emaciated farm animals were so desperate that they turned to eat carcasses of their fallen own.

The court case has been adjourned to October. Modise will plead her innocence based on her ignorance of lack of food and water on her animal farm and play the “blame game”.

Just who will speak on behalf of those animals that endured untold suffering and finally succumbed?

She is ultimately responsible for the ill-treatment of animals on her farm.

Animals are sentient by nature. It was the great Pythagoras who said: “Animals share with us the privilege of having a soul.” GONA GOVENDER La Mercy