Dismayed by the Modderfontein farm incident which made this week’s news headlines, the North West Province MEC for Department of Rural, Environmental and Agricultural Development Ms Manketsi Tlhape has committed her department to working together with the team handling the matter by providing the needed veterinary support; this in an attempt to restore the surviving animals’ health condition.
MEC Tlhape says while Ms Thandi Modise has, as an emerging farmer and owner of the farm, never approached the department for provision of veterinary services or anything related to farm management practices since privately acquiring this farm about four years ago, this disturbing situation calls for immediate specialised support.
“Our pledge in this regard is guided by the responsibility bestowed upon us as the department, that of improving the quality of animal health by preventing and controlling animal diseases through vaccination programmes, rendering of clinical diagnosis, veterinary public health service and provision of animal feed”.
MEC Tlhape urged farmers to regularly seek agricultural support and advice from the department’s skilled and well-resourced State Veterinarians and Animal Health Technicians, who are located at various departmental offices, throughout the province.
To this end, the department’s Veterinarians who have been sent to Modderfontein farm for technical advisory support, have taken brain samples from the sheep that manifested signs of neural disruption to the department’s Potchefstroom Veterinary Laboratory, for diagnosis. It is expected that the results thereof, will be released later this week.
Contact person:
Bonolo Mohlakoana
Cell: 082 901 2435
Tel: 018 389 5719
E-mail: bmohlakoana@nwpg.gov.za or mohlakoana.bonolo@gmail.com
