Latest news with #NationalCouncilofSPCAs
IOL News
12-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Daybreak Foods workers call for management overhaul amid financial turmoil
The National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) has obtained an urgent court order against Daybreak Foods, compelling the company to cease inhumane culling practices and provide adequate care for hundreds of thousands of breeder birds at risk of starvation and suffering. Image: NSPCA Banele Ginidza Workers at Daybreak Foods' farms have laid down a series of demands that centre on the immediate termination of Chief People Officer Tshepo Yvonne Mosadi's contract, alongside a comprehensive overhaul of the company's board and management structure. This demand comes as the Public Investment Corporation (PIC) on Friday injected a further R74 million into the embattled farming establishment in a bid to pay for outstanding salaries for April, buy chicken feed supplies, and for specific essential operational expenses. The R74m, which is part of the R250m financial support requested by Daybreak in February, was initially earmarked for capital expenditure. On Friday, the Daybreak Workers Union issued a letter detailing their demands and expressed deep concerns over past management practices. "To avoid suffering the same fate, we are eliminating that risk, and avoiding the new cash injection falling into the same hands that have already proven to be incapable and incompetent to run and manage the establishment," read the letter, which was seen by Business Report. Workers also voiced multiple grievances, including the accounting methods related to overtime, delays in payment of May salaries, and inadequate provisions for Personal Protective Clothing (PPE). Further, there were calls for revisions in production pauses to ensure better working conditions, alongside critical changes to the slaughter culture that could impact both worker safety and animal welfare. Mosadi, a nominee for the Chief Human Resources Officer Awards in 2023, has faced backlash, accused by workers of being disconnected from their plight. Sources indicate that the PIC, which recently authorised a R100 million emergency fund known as the "Sunday Account," aims to address the immediate liquidity needs that have left workers and the company in a precarious situation. This emergency fund, confirmed on Thursday and Friday, is a part of the overall financial package being arranged by the PIC. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Though the PIC on Friday announced the decision to provide immediate financial support to Daybreak Foods, it reiterated that the board and management of Daybreak Foods remained responsible and accountable for the company's operations and finances. "The PIC is strengthening the board and assisting it to strengthen management to help to bring stability to the company and to resume normal operations," said the PIC. "Daybreak's leadership is tasked to develop and implement a turnaround strategy and a credible turnaround plan to ensure long- term sustainability and growth, including how the company intends to avert job losses and safeguard the welfare of the livestock." Meanwhile, the National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) on Saturday obtained an urgent court order against Daybreak Foods, compelling the company to cease inhumane culling practices and provide adequate care for hundreds of thousands of breeder birds at risk of starvation and suffering. This followed a catastrophic welfare emergency currently unfolding at two of Daybreak's breeder farms in Bela-Bela and Mookgopong. An estimated 594 000 birds are at immediate risk of starvation, suffering from cannibalism, injuries, and prolonged neglect due to insufficient feeding and inhumane culling practices. According to a whistleblower report, the upheaval at the company stems from Daybreak's attempt to remove the PIC as mandate holder and appoint a private entity specialising in investors mandates. The report revealed that the PIC acts only as an investor mandate holder on behalf of these shareholders, not as a direct shareholder with the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF), Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), and the Compensation Fund (CF), each holding 33.3% of the entity. The complications have disrupted normal governance, with no Annual General Meetings (AGMs) convened since 2021 and a shocking turnover of four CEOs in merely four years — a clear reflection of governance failures. A whistleblower report has drawn attention to inadequate board oversight, failure to exercise diligent oversight of executive decisions, absence of consequence management enabled unchecked misconduct, deficiencies in fiscal management created vulnerabilities for mismanagement.
IOL News
26-04-2025
- IOL News
Urgent reforms needed in South Africa's captive lion industry following cruelty conviction
The NSPCA discovered lions in various stages of starvation on a farm in the Free State. The owner has been convicted on charges of animal cruelty. Image: Supplied Animal welfare organisation Four Paws South Africa is urging the government to expedite the implementation of the phase-out plan of the captive lion industry following the conviction of Professor Thabo Masihlelo for starving the lions on his farm in the Free State. The National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) issued a statement this week announcing that Masihlelo had been convicted of animal cruelty and sentenced to a R5,000 fine or 10 months' imprisonment, half of which is suspended for five years on condition that he does not re-offend. In 2023, the NSPCA's Wildlife Protection Unit (WPU) conducted an inspection at Masihlelo's farm in Tweeling, where they discovered several lions in varying stages of starvation. 'Although Masihlelo claimed to breed captive lions under the guise of supporting conservation efforts in South Africa, he had failed to meet even the most basic requirement of feeding the animals. Lions, severely emaciated with visible ribs, spines, and hip bones, were left to endure prolonged starvation,' said the NSPCA. Four Paws said South Africa has been a significant player in the global big cat industry, with an estimated 8,000 lions held in captivity across approximately 300 facilities. These lions are often bred for profit-driven activities, including cub petting, trophy hunting, and the export of body parts for traditional medicine. In 2021, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) announced its intent to phase out the captive lion industry. Daniels said while this was a commendable step, progress has been slow, and the lack of swift action continues to endanger the welfare of thousands of lions and other big cats. She said this conviction emphasises the urgent need for comprehensive reform in South Africa's captive lion industry. 'This case is not an isolated incident but rather a symptom of systemic issues within the commercial breeding and exploitation of big cats. None of these captive-bred animals will be released into the wild to help wild populations; therefore, they are not a true conservation effort,' she said. This case serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of inadequate oversight and the importance of genuine conservation efforts that prioritise animal welfare and animals in the wild, she warned. 'While this conviction is a significant step in acknowledging the gravity of animal cruelty in South Africa, we believe the penalties imposed do not yet reflect the serious nature of the suffering endured by these animals,' stated Daniels. She said the discovery of starving lions in such conditions is not only a breach of ethical responsibility but a blatant violation of South Africa's animal protection laws. 'We call for stricter penalties and the consistent enforcement of the Animal Protection Act to ensure that such cruelty is met with consequences that act as both a deterrent and a form of justice for the animals affected,' she said. Describing what these lions had to endure, Daniels said the level of starvation indicated their prolonged suffering. 'In cases of extreme malnutrition, lions experience significant muscle wasting, weakened immune systems, and organ failure. The physical deterioration is accompanied by immense psychological distress, as these sentient beings suffer from hunger, pain, and the inability to engage in natural behaviours,' she said. The NSPCA discovered lions in various stages of starvation on a farm in the Free State. The owner has been convicted on charges of animal cruelty. Image: Supplied Four Paws advised that if circumstances prevent proper care, there are established avenues to safeguard the lions' welfare, including voluntary exit from the captive lion industry, surrender to legitimate sanctuaries, as well as collaboration with authorities and NGOs. 'Neglecting the care of captive lions is unacceptable. Four Paws urges all individuals and facilities to proactively seek assistance and utilise available programmes to ensure the humane treatment of these animals.' Daniels said the organisation continues to urge the government to implement meaningful reform, including the full phasing out of the commercial captive lion breeding industry, as announced in the 2021 Ministerial report, and to include all big cats in the phase-out. 'The protection of South Africa's wildlife heritage must go hand in hand with animal welfare. Only through stronger legal frameworks and enforcement, as well as stricter penalties for cruelty, can we hope to see real change for animals in South Africa,' she stated.
