Dog attack victim’s family needs financial support
The deceased was described as an outspoken person who loved cracking jokes.
The family of a Mlungisi Nketshisa (45) who died after three pit bull terriers mauled him at his place of work in Crystal Park on February 14 is appealing for donations to help cover the funeral costs to bury their loved one with dignity.
Speaking to his distraught mother at her Wattville home, Sylvia Mahamba said they desperately need funds to buy food for the funeral, coffin and transport money to transport his son’s body from Gauteng to the Eastern Cape where he will be buried.
The 63-year-old mother said although she works as a domestic worker, she currently doesn’t have money to bury her son, who was the breadwinner.
Sylvia, who couldn’t hold back her tears while speaking to the City Times, said she last saw Mlungisi on February 12 because he didn’t sleep at home on February 13.
“When he didn’t come back home on February 14, we inquired about his whereabouts from his friends. They mentioned he was with them on February 13 but he left early in the morning on February 14 to go to work,” she said.
On February 15, Mlungisi’s close friend Tshivan phoned her later at around 14:00 and told her that he’ll come and fetch her in Boksburg where she was.
“I was dumbfounded when he told me that Mlungisi had an argument with his employers. I knew something was not adding up in this statement.
“He then took me to the Crystal Park Police Station where one of the officers broke the sad news to us.”
The devastated mother said she cried hysterically while she prayed.
“My heart was so heavy I couldn’t believe that my child is no more. I don’t think this pain that I’m feeling will ever cease because Mlungisi meant so much to me,” said Sylvia.
Mlungisi’s younger brother, Anele, said it is hard to come to terms with his brother’s death, especially how he died.
“Seeing my brother in that state at the mortuary broke my heart. Both his arms had no flesh, just bones. It seems he didn’t suffer any injuries to the face because he only had scratches. We are still in shock,” he said.
Mlungisi’s daughter, Ziyanda (21), described her father as an outspoken man who loved making people laugh.
Benoni SPCA
According to SPCA manager Bronwyn Kleynhans, Mlungisi was already deceased by the time their inspectorate arrived.
“The three dogs, two female and a male, were handed over to the SPCA by the family with fears that they might be a danger to the community. They were humanely euthanised,” she said.
Crystal Parks SAPS spokesperson Sgt Lerato Mopeli said the police have opened an inquest docket.
To donate to the family, contact Anele on 073 704 2190 or Ziyanda on 073 878 5616. Bank account details: MS T Mahamba/ 1391978798/ Capitec savings account.
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