Warrant of arrest looms over South African Parliament Speaker Thandi Modise

Speaker of South Africa’s Parliament, Thandi Modise, could land herself behind bars if she fails to appear before the Potchefstroom Regional Court on March 31.

The National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA), supported by Advocate Gerrie Nel and AfriForum, has taken Modise to court on charges of animal cruelty after animals suffering from neglect and starvation were found on her farm in 2014.

According to the NSPCA, it instituted legal proceedings after the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) declined to prosecute the Parliament Speaker in 2017.

The Speaker of Parliament is accused of leaving her farm in North West, leaving behind unattended more than 50 pigs and other animals, including geese, ducks, sheep and goats in 2014.

Modise claims that she was unable to attend her latest court date because of her involvement in the COVID-19 lockdown plan, which summoned her to Pretoria at the request of President Ramaphosa.

The court, however, has issued Modise with a warrant of arrest, which has been reserved for 31 March. If Modise fails to appear before the court, the warrant becomes active. However, the national lockdown, which only allows for essential services to operate until 16 April, may prove to be a caveat in the court’s action.