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The Citizen
5 days ago
- The Citizen
Alleged animal abuse at university farm: Stellenbosch students under investigation
Stellenbosch University (SU) is facing an investigation by the National Council of Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) after Farmer's Weekly was alerted to the alleged inhumane treatment of animals at the SU's experimental farm. Students allegedly 'sped up' taking of manure and urine samples During trials conducted by students in SU's Department of Animal Sciences to test the nutritional uptake of feed, sheep were allegedly near-suffocated with plastic bags to force them to release their bowels. Manure and urine samples needed to be collected for the tests, but rather than wait for the sheep to defecate naturally, it is alleged that students attempted to speed up the process. As it is common for animals to release their bowels moments before they die, the plastic bags were quickly removed after the animals defecated to prevent them from dying. The report was made to Farmer's Weekly on condition of anonymity. It further stated that animals in the facilities had at times gone without water and food. Whistleblower blames post-graduate students The whistleblower said that all students that had to perform tests on animals were trained in the ethical treatment of animals. 'There are clear guidelines about how the animals must be treated. This includes ensuring that they have enough water and food, and that no animal may be pulled by their legs or ears. The students involved in the allegations are those that did not obtain their degrees at SU but are doing their post-graduate studies there. Perhaps other universities are not as strict on animal welfare,' they said. NSPCA monitoring investigation The NSPCA has since engaged directly with SU, escalating the matter to the university's Research Ethics Committee: Animal Care and Use. The university has initiated an internal investigation and disciplinary processes. Jacques Peacock, communications manager at the NSPCA, said the council was monitoring the investigation. 'If the conduct is verified, it would raise serious animal welfare concerns. 'Forcing an animal to defecate or urinate through suffocation or near-suffocation is not an acceptable practice and could constitute an offence under the Animals Protection Act. Any research or testing involving animals in South Africa must comply with both national animal welfare legislation and research standards,' he said. No animals in immediate danger – university Martin Viljoen, media manager at SU, said that the matter was of grave concern to the university. He noted that the complaint was under investigation and that SU could not comment on what steps were being taken against the students involved. 'As a matter of urgency, the committee has established that no animals are currently in immediate danger,' he added. 'All students and researchers involved in the use of animals for scientific purposes are annually trained in ethics and integrity by relevant experts and committees. All animals are under strict veterinary supervision.' Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
NSPCA calls for urgent reforms in horse racing welfare
Actress and activist Nirvana Nokwe helped launch the NSPCA's 'Rein in the Pain' campaign in unforgettable fashion at the Durban July. Her red-carpet look served as a haunting tribute to racehorses discarded after injury or poor performance, and her outfit was nothing less than a show-stopping performance. Image: NSPCA While recognising that horse racing is a long-standing tradition for many, the NSPCA has called for urgent reforms to protect the welfare of the horses involved, particularly those on the racing circuit who fall under the care of the National Horse Racing Authority (NHRA). Coinciding with the glamorous Durban July race day, the NSPCA launched 'Rein in the Pain', a national campaign to raise awareness about the suffering racehorses endure in the name of sport and spectacle. 'We understand the legacy tied to this sport, but tradition cannot be used to excuse ongoing cruelty,' NSPCA spokesperson Jacques Peacock said. 'These magnificent animals are being silenced by a system that too often places profit above their welfare. Window-dressing measures and paltry fines may create the illusion of progress, but they do little to drive meaningful change or hold the industry genuinely accountable.' Actress and activist Nirvana Nokwe helped launch the campaign in unforgettable fashion at the Durban July, donning a thought-provoking art piece designed to challenge perceptions and spark conversation. Her red-carpet look served as a haunting tribute to racehorses discarded after injury or poor performance. 'This isn't just about what happens on race day,' Nokwe said. 'It's about what we don't see, the tongue-ties, the severe whippings at lesser-known events, the broken bones, strained ligaments, and the bleeding lungs. Fashion can make a statement, and this one says: It's time to change.' The campaign highlights the often-ignored realities of horse racing, which include tongue-ties which cause discomfort, performance-enhancing drugs which push horses beyond their natural limits, whipping which inflicts pain under the guise of motivation and collapsed lungs, fractured legs, and premature deaths, often resulting from overexertion and unsafe conditions. The NSPCA also said early racing places strain on young horses before their skeletons are fully developed. In the interest of reducing cruelty and promoting immediate change, the organisation detailed proposed amendments to the Rules of the NHRA. The NSPCA is calling on all industry stakeholders, including horse owners, trainers, jockeys, breeders, and racing associations to commit to banning drugs and harmful training aids, ending and banning the use of whipping, phasing out harmful equipment, such as tongue ties, halting the practice of racing horses before full skeletal maturity and providing lifetime welfare, not just track-time care. The organisation also called for adherence to animal welfare laws and related regulations, and reporting any abuse to the appropriate authorities.
The Citizen
24-05-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Chicken farm funded by PIC fails to reverse court order against inhumane practices
The Public Investment Corporation gave Daybreak Foods R74 million to rectify conditions at the farm but the NSPCA were not satisfied. Daybreak Foods and the Public Investment Corporation have failed to prove that they should be allowed to continue their chicken breeding operation unsupervised. The Gauteng High Court on Friday confirmed that the National Council of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) will have the authority to monitor Daybreak's business until further notice. The respondents, Daybreak and the PIC, were given the opportunity to reverse an interdict handed down earlier this month ordering the cessation of the inhumane treatment of their chickens. R74 million given by PIC The court had earlier granted an interdict against Daybreak due to the inhumane culling of the breeder birds, as well as the lack of appropriate food for the chickens. Breeder birds were being culled by wringing their necks and financial problems at Daybreak left the operation without food for the animals or staff to tend them. Daybreak denied any wrongdoing, but stated in their answering affidavit that the company was in a 'state of disrepair due to financial mismanagement'. Failure to pay staff led to casual workers being employed, with Daybreak stating that there were no resources to adequately train the casual workers which may have been responsible for the improper slaughter. The company argued that any injuries present on the chickens were due to the animals pecking each other, allegedly natural chicken behaviour. The PIC had given Daybreak R74 million to rectify the situation but it was not enough for the court to rule the situation had been remedied. Respondents to pay costs The PIC had confirmed earlier in the week that Daybreak had been placed under business rescue and that the company's board had been reconstituted. On Friday, the chicken farm and the PIC were required to address an action plan for cooperation with the NSPCA and their adherence to health and safety protocols. Daybreak and the PIC will be liable for the NSPCA's legal costs and must provide a remedial timeline to the animal welfare organisation within five days. Until the NSPCA is satisfied or the parties agree, Daybreak will not be allowed to breed chickens or place hatchlings at any affiliated facilities, and must properly care for their existing chickens. 'Our teams were on the ground on the Daybreak Farms in Bela-Bela and Mookgopong, Limpopo for 12 days, confronting the grim realities these animals endure,' stated NSPCA spokesperson Jacques Peacock. 'We will remain vigilant in ensuring Daybreak's full compliance with the Court's order and will continue to monitor the situation closely,' Peacock concluded. NOW READ: Business rescue for stricken chicken producer Daybreak Foods
