A man facing a culpable homicide charge after his two dogs mauled a woman to death was reluctant to surrender his vicious pets even after the tragic incident.
Nchabeleng Charles Masebe, 62, was granted R5,000 bail by the Senwabarwana magistrate’s court in Limpopo on Thursday after his two rottweilers attacked and killed 43-year-old Melitta Sekole on December 23 when she was walking to her workplace in the Vivo farming area.
Initial reports from the police in the province had suggested that the dogs were two pit bulls, but it has emerged that the dogs that attacked Sekole were actually rottweilers.
In recent months vicious dog attacks have resulted in a public outcry as more incidents have occurred in different parts of the country.
A letter written on January 10 addressed to the investigating officer from the SPCA, which the Sowetan has seen, said that Masebe had to be forced by police to hand over the dogs because he had initially refused.
It also gives details of the behaviour of the animals and how even SPCA staff in Louis Trichardt where they were being kept were afraid for their safety.
“The owner of the dogs was ordered by the police to bring the dogs to the SPCA Louis Trichardt, as the owner refused to surrender and sign them over to SPCA,” the letter reads.
In all, Masebe has four dogs including 3 rottweilers (2 female and 1 male) and a male Staffordshire terrier cross breed.
The detailed account from the SPCA mentioned that the dogs appeared friendly upon first arriving at their facility but grew more aggressive as the days went by. The three Rottweilers are said to have attacked the Staffordshire, resulting in them being kept in separate kennel.
The dogs were described as having a high prey drive, meaning that a person screaming or running away from them could mimic as prey in canine’s mind.
“We cannot leave the dogs in the kennel without someone entering at feeding times and to clean the kennels, however we do fear that staff might be putting themselves in harm’s way by executing their tasks,” it states.
It further states that the dogs could pose a danger to the community, while there was a chance that they too could be harmed should they be allowed back into the care of the owner.
During court proceedings on Thursday, state prosecutor Karabo Tefo said they would not oppose bail because Masebe was charged with a schedule one offence and had no prior convictions or pending cases.
Tefo also confirmed that Masebe’s dogs would be put down, after his defence lawyer Mando Matshisevhe wrote a letter to the SPCA in Louis Trichardt giving permission for the dogs to be euthanised.
Matshisevhe said her client would adhere to bail conditions.
Masebe's bail conditions include that he would have to report to the Mara police station every Friday and hand over his travel documents.
Community members, who were demonstrating outside court and some of Sekole’s relatives, said they were disappointed with the court’s ruling.
The deceased's younger brother Thuso Phala said the family was saddened that Masebe was granted bail.
“It is very sad because we have lost a parent and a sister to us,” Phala said.
“We know that there is nothing we can do to bring her back; even if they put him in jail, it will not bring our sister back. But it would at least wipe our tears.”
The case was postponed to 26 April.
Community leader Morongwa Sebetha said the community would continue to support the family.
“It breaks our heart that they gave him bail after he robbed Melita’s children of a mother. We will not accept him back to the community after this,” Sebetha said.
mahopoz@sowetan.co.za
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