The Sunday Independent reported that officials made the discovery on Saturday, 5 July. Surviving pigs had begun cannibalising the starved pigs and were reportedly drinking their own urine.
The animals had been without water and food for a week or two. There was no sign of farm workers on the property, no electricity, and the water pumps were broken, it was reported in a SAPA press release.
Modise said she learnt of the neglect late on Saturday. "I am not a farmer. I am trying to farm. I am learning. But if you are a woman and you are learning you are not allowed to make mistakes," she said.
She said the farm had a manager, who had had a family emergency. His interim replacement had allegedly disappeared.
An investigation into the neglect has been launched by the SPCA.