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Daily Maverick
06-08-2025
- Health
- Daily Maverick
Swine fever scare triggers culling of pigs in Bredasdorp
Hundreds of pigs are being culled in the Agulhas region to stop the spread of 'probable' deadly African Swine Fever. A suspected outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF) in the Cape Agulhas Municipality has triggered a pig euthanasia operation, raising urgent questions about animal welfare and disease control in the region. The incident involves up to 800 free-ranging pigs that were confined – apparently without adequate food or water – before the disease emerged. This is a breaking story. Why so many pigs could be free-ranging and where they were living will be the focus of further investigation. The situation first came to attention after a public alert posted by the Cape Agulhas Municipality on 2 August 2025, which referred to a 'probable outbreak of African Swine Fever' among free-ranging pigs in Bredasdorp. According to the alert, the municipality had earlier captured and enclosed between 1,000 and 1,500 pigs, with the stated aim of controlling the growing free-ranging population. The National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) reports that it was informed on 31 July by the Animal Anti-Cruelty League (AACL) Bredasdorp of suspected ASF at the facility. On 1 August, an inspection was conducted by the AACL and a state veterinarian from Swellendam, who found around 30 dead pigs showing symptoms consistent with ASF. Samples were taken for PCR testing, but due to a national backlog, results have not yet been expedited. 'Warning letters' According to Jacques Peacock of the NSPCA, the local municipality was given three warning letters on possible contraventions of the Animal Protection Act as well as the need for urgent quarantine and safe carcass disposal protocols, but by 5 August, no formal response had been received. A second site visit by AACL on 3 August found more than 30 additional mortalities and led to the humane euthanasia of eight pigs due to the severity of their condition. The NSPCA then escalated the matter to the South African Pork Producers Organisation and the Western Cape Veterinary Services on 4 August, calling for urgent assistance. As of 5 August, a veterinary assessment is under way and an on-site assessment is being conducted. Based on the findings, further action will be taken in the interests of animal welfare and disease containment. The Western Cape's chairperson of the Standing Committee on Agriculture, Noko Masipa, has been tracking the issue and says the pigs were likely to have been from what he termed 'backyard township farming'. He said while he understood the need for people to undertake this for economic reasons, it was beyond the control of any safety measures and therefore a health problem. In a written reply to the Standing Committee on Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism on the challenges facing informal pig farming, the provincial agriculture department confirmed that it had signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding with the South African Pork Producers Organisation to establish a coordinated approach to supporting smallholder pig farmers. 'It is hoped that the agreement will contribute meaningfully to improving biosecurity and curbing the spread of animal diseases within the sector,' said Masipa. Understanding ASF ASF is a highly contagious and often fatal viral disease affecting domestic pigs and wild swine such as warthogs and bush pigs. The virus causes internal bleeding, fever and rapid death in infected animals. There is no vaccine or treatment. Although ASF does not infect humans, it can have catastrophic effects on pig populations and agriculture. According to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), ASF has a mortality rate approaching 100%, and once detected in a region, culling is often the only containment strategy. ASF is classified as a notifiable disease in South Africa. While it has historically been endemic in the northern regions of the country – where warthogs and Ornithodoros ticks act as reservoirs – its geographical reach is expanding. The Western Cape has experienced previous outbreaks, including in 2021 and 2024. Risks of mishandling The mass confinement of wild or free-ranging pigs is unusual in South African municipal practice and may have inadvertently created the conditions for disease spread. Veterinary epidemiology experts warn that stress, overcrowding and lack of nutrition severely compromise immune responses in pigs, making outbreaks more likely and more deadly. Confining such a large number of unvaccinated free-ranging animals – especially without veterinary supervision – may have accelerated viral transmission. ASF can be transmitted by direct contact, through contaminated feed or by exposure to infected carcasses. It is unclear whether adequate food and shelter were supplied and biosecurity protocols were followed during the initial capture or subsequent holding of the pigs by the Cape Agulhas Municipality. No official veterinary risk assessment or environmental impact study has been made public. Broader implications The economic implications of an uncontrolled ASF outbreak are significant. South Africa's pork industry, though smaller than poultry or beef, contributes significantly to the economy and food security. ASF outbreaks can result in trade restrictions, movement bans and the collapse of small-scale farming enterprises. During China's ASF epidemic in 2018-2019, more than 200 million pigs were culled, leading to global pork shortages. South Africa has thus far avoided similar devastation, but the growing frequency of ASF outbreaks outside traditional containment zones is cause for concern. Welfare and accountability The handling of this crisis has drawn condemnation from animal welfare organisations, who argue that poor planning, lack of consultation and negligent oversight contributed to the suffering and deaths of hundreds of pigs. South Africa's Animal Protection Act places a legal obligation on those in charge of animals to provide food, water, shelter, and to prevent unnecessary suffering. Although the NSPCA has issued three warnings, it has not yet indicated whether it will pursue legal action against the Cape Agulhas Municipality, but has noted in statements that the conditions at the facility may constitute violations of this Act. As of this writing, PCR test results from the Swellendam State Vet have not yet been released. If ASF is confirmed, the site will probably be placed under stricter quarantine, with expanded carcass disposal efforts and biosecurity measures. Animal protection groups are calling for: A full public report from the Cape Agulhas Municipality detailing the rationale for the mass pig confinement; Clear timelines of actions taken and by whom; Release of veterinary assessments; and Review of provincial and municipal disease response frameworks. DM
The Citizen
11-07-2025
- 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
