By More Matshediso
Pretoria - North West MEC for Rural, Environmental and Agricultural Development, Manketsi Tlhape, says her department will give specialised support to restore the health of the surviving animals from the Modderfontein farm.
The animals were found abandoned on a farm belonging to National Council of Provinces (NCOP) chairperson, Thandi Modise, over the weekend in Modderfontein.
Modise has since said she will cooperate fully with the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), which is investigating the neglect of the animals.
The former North West premier said she had been under the impression that the farm was being run under the supervision of a replacement manager after her farm manager had requested leave to attend an urgent family matter.
She said it came as a shock to learn from the SPCA that the replacement manager had deserted the farm.
On Tuesday, MEC Tlhape said veterinary scientists from her department will give the necessary support to over 100 pigs, sheep, chickens and goats that had allegedly been without water and food for about a week at the North West farm.
“This disturbing situation calls for immediate specialised support. Our pledge in this regard is guided by the responsibility bestowed on us as the department,” said MEC Tlhape.
The MEC said her department has sent veterinarians to the farm to take brain samples from the sheep that showed signs of neural disruption.
The samples have been taken to the department’s veterinary lab in Potchefstroom for diagnosis. Lab results are expected later this week.
MEC Tlhape said her department will improve “the quality of animal health by preventing and controlling animal diseases through vaccination programmes, rendering of clinical diagnosis, veterinary public health service and provision of animal feed”.
The MEC said farmers should regularly seek agricultural support and advice from state veterinarians and animal health technicians at various departmental offices throughout the province. – SAnews.gov.za
