DURBAN - The Winterton Court in KwaZulu-Natal acquitted two farmers of all charges brought against them by the National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) for the abuse of farm animals.
The NSPCA said the outcome of Wednesday’s court appearance left the organisation disappointed.
The NSPCA had in 2018 removed all the animals on Ukwanda Farm and charged the owner for animal cruelty.
It had obtained a warrant to remove all the pigs from the award-winning farm in KwaZulu-Natal after serious welfare concerns were noted.
A total of 18 sows were found in such a critical state that they would not have been able to recover and the NSPCA was forced to humanely euthanise them. Further to this, the NSPCA had taken water samples from the pigs’ drinking water which was later found to be contaminated with E coli after being sent for testing.
In 2015, the NSPCA had found grounds to criminally charge the husband of the owner of the farm - also for animal abuse. Three years later, in 2018, the owner of the farm was also charged and the cases were merged into one.
On Wednesday NSPCA inspector Mpho Mokoena said: “The animals on the farm were found in a shocking condition. The pigs were so emaciated that we could see their skeletons through their skin. These animals had no food and their drinking water was infested with parasites. It was astounding that the animals were still alive at the time of our rescue, given the conditions they were kept under.”
The NSPCA said it was not the first time it had discovered animals being abused on the farm because, in 2014, the farm owner's husband was also found abusing animals and was charged by the NSPCA.
The organisation said that for nine years it gathered evidence, travelled up and down and made every effort in their pursuit of justice for the animals that suffered on Ukwanda farm.
Then on Wednesday, the Winterton Court acquitted the owner of the farm, as well as her husband, of all the charges brought against them.
The NSPCA said the ruling was made because the court was convinced that the state, prosecuting on behalf of the NSPCA, failed to build a prima facie case against the accused.
NSPCA farm animal protection unit manager Grace de Lange said: “To say that we are disappointed with this outcome is an understatement. The worst part about this is the fact that animals suffered severely and nobody is going to be held accountable for it, despite our best efforts. Those animals have been completely robbed of the justice they deserve for the pain and suffering they were forced to endure on Ukwanda farm. This is not the example that should be set for society. It is not acceptable for people to abuse animals and walk free.”
Daily News