UPDATE: Support rallies for dog victim

The horrific death of a security guard who was killed by three Rottweilers recently sent shockwaves through the Dolphin Coast community, with many wondering what they could do to help.

Khulekani Mthembu worked at La Maine stable yard, a few kilometres inland of Shakaskraal village, as a security guard along with his brother, Collin.

Three weeks ago he was attacked and killed by the dogs while letting them out of their cage.

Collin told the Courier he and his brother had been working together, hoping to be able to build themselves a small house one day. He had a six-year-old son.

Now that his brother is dead, Collin said he had lost hope that he would ever achieve their dream. Khulekani was buried on September 30 in Wombane near Gingindlovu.

Collin told the Courier that the owner of La Maine had paid the family R5000 “to say sorry”.

While some had assumed this was to pay for the funeral, Collin said he had been paid afterwards.

He said he was angry at the way this tragedy had been handled by La Maine and could barely to think of them without becoming enraged.

“I have a certificate to handle the dogs, so I know what to do and how to do it when I am in danger,” said Mthembu.

He said his brother was not trained to handle dogs.

Collin confirmed that as a family they want to take legal action against the owner of the dogs, however he does not know where to start.

He is now left with the responsibility of raising his brother’s six-year-old son, who is in grade one at Wombane Primary School. Although the boy is not paying school fees, Mthembu is unemplyed and needs to pay for transport.

Umhlali SAPS spokesperson Captain Vinny Pillay confirmed that an inquest had been opened and said investigations would continue until police can determine whether any charges should be laid.

The Office of the Premier has also taken note of the case, having contacted the Courier to put them in touch with the Mthembu family.

Meanwhile, one of the horse-owners who stables her animals at La Maine, Haley de Charmoy decided she had to do something to help Khulekani’s family.

“Both of them were always such friendly guys. On occasion I would give them a lift and they were always willing to chat a little and share a laugh,” she said.

De Charmoy has set up a bank account for donations towards helping Khulekani’s family. The ultimate objective is to raise enough money and get enough volunteers on board to help the Mthembu’s realise Khulukani’s dream of a home for his brother and the six-year-old son he leaves behind, but for this they need the community to get involved.

“I want his family to know that there are people from all walks of life who care about what happened to Khulekani, that we are a community and that we are devastated by his death.

“I will do whatever I can to help. So far, we have raised R1600,” said de Charmoy.

She said that several horse owners who stable their horses at La Maine had also raised R2700 to help the family in the short term.

Ideally, enough money will be donated and enough volunteers come forward that steps can be taken to build a house. However, if enough support is not forthcoming then the money will have to be given as cash to the family for school uniforms and transport for Khulekani’s son.

The Courier made multiple attempts to contact the owners of La Maine for their side of the story but received no response.

La Maine manageress Christine Cooper said she could not provide the owner’s details but that she had passed along the requests.

The property is up for sale and is currently owned by Mark Thomason, who has not lived on the estate this year.

Thomason appeared in the Umhlali Periodical Magistrate’s Court in 2013 for driving his Ferrari at 206 km/h on the N2 highway in 2013.

The dogs have since been removed from the property, however it has not been possible to confirm if they have been put down.

If you would like to make a donation towards helping the Mthembu family, transfer funds to: HM de Charmoy, Capitec, Ballito Branch Code 470010 Account 154 836 5376.

This is a new account set up by de Charmoy and the bank statements will be available for public scrutiny.

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