It took a public outcry and the culling of thousands of starving chickens to highlight the poor management at Daybreak Foods, the large poultry producer owned by the Public Investment Corporation (PIC).

Complaints to the National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) about starving chickens eating each other alive finally prompted intervention in April. 

Moneyweb reports that the council said it has laid criminal charges against the then directors of the producer following the ‘large-scale animal welfare disaster that has captured global attention’.

‘Following extensive on-site investigations, the NSPCA uncovered overwhelming evidence of gross negligence, systemic mismanagement, and a complete abdication of responsibility by Daybreak’s leadership,’ the NSPCA said, adding that it will work closely with the SAPS and NPA to pursue justice.

Since the recent problems came to light in May 2025, the PIC has appointed a new board of directors and pledged more than R200m in additional funding.

It said that it was ‘deeply disturbed’ by reports of culling and cannibalism among the poultry stock at Daybreak Foods’ farming operations.

Tebogo Maoto, senior business rescue practitioner for Daybreak Foods, said they welcome the PIC’s funding support, which will provide the much-needed liquidity to implement the emergency phase of company’s business rescue proceedings. ‘

Full Moneyweb report