Family of woman mauled by two Pitbulls sad after owner gets R5000 bail

The family of a Limpopo woman who was mauled by two Pitbulls on her way to work and later died, says it is sad and disappointed that the owner of the dogs has been released on R5000 bail. 

Nchabeleng Masebe was arrested on 29 December 2022 and remanded in custody after his two Pitbulls allegedly attacked Mellita Sekole while walking to her workplace at Ga-Makgatho village outside Senwabarwana in Limpopo. 

FAMILY OF WOMAN MAULED BY PITBULLS SPEAKS OUT

Masebe appeared at the Senwabarwana Magistrate’s Court in Limpopo on Thursday and was granted R5000 bail. 

Speaking to the SABC, Sekole’s niece, Thuso Phala, said they are sad, disappointed, and heartbroken by the court’s decision. 

Phala said as much as they knew that Masebe being in jail would not bring back Sekole; it would have wiped their tears. 

“We would have been relieved at least knowing that the person whose dogs took our sister’s life is in jail,” he said. 

As previously reported, family spokesperson Pleasure Makhura said when she got to the scene, she found Sekole on the floor, naked. The Pitbulls had ripped off her clothes, and she was in so much pain.

“I found the ambulance staff helping her alongside the owner of the dogs. It hurts us that he has not come to the family while visiting her in the hospital. We don’t know what we will do. She has three children, three of whom are going to matric,” she said.

Disgruntled community members outside the court vowed to protest at the local police station for Sekole’s bail to be revoked. 

The dog owner is expected back in court on 26 April 2023. 

Meanwhile, Masebe’s defence lawyer Mando Matshisevhe has reportedly written a letter to the SPCA in Louis Trichardt, permitting the dogs to be put down.

“I have drafted a letter to authorise the SPCA to put the dogs down,” Matshisevhe said.

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