Family mourns 31-year-old man who was mauled to death by dogs
It is alleged the deceased was attacked by five dogs at a nearby plot next to Mountain View.
A family in Mountain View in the far east of Mamelodi wants justice for their 31-year-old son who was mauled to death by vicious dogs.
Hector Sandile Mhlongo was attacked and mauled by five dogs on his way home last week Tuesday night (August 23).
It is alleged he was attacked by four mixed-breed dogs and one Pitbull that bit him on a plot near Mountain View.
The five dogs came out of a hole in the fence next to the main gate of the plot.
Mother Zanele Mhlongo said she last saw her son in the morning on her way to work.
Zanele said Hector did not return and the following day she heard about a person who was mauled by dogs at a nearby plot not knowing it was her son.
When they arrived on the scene, she knew it was her son as she recognised his clothes.
“My son’s torn clothes were on the ground soaked in blood. The police told us the body was taken to the government mortuary after midnight,” said Mhlongo.
She said she could not believe that her son lost his life because of negligence.
“I can’t believe I have lost my son that way. Each time I hear a dog bark, I think about my son and how he died,” she said.
She described her son as loving and a hard worker. He was known by everyone for his handiwork within the community.
Community member Didintle Masola said this was not the first time the dogs attacked people passing by the plot.
“Residents have been complaining about those dogs and have been bitten by the dogs, but no one ever took any action.
“Many people are victims and have scars from the dogs,” said Masola.
The plot is located on the main road used by mostly community members from Mountain View going to work and fetching wood in the veld.
“We are always running from the dogs. The owner or the workers at the plot should have fixed the fence the hole a long time ago.”
The residents want the dogs to be taken away or put down before they take another life in the community.
Zanelle said the owner has offered to help with funeral arrangements.
“All I want is justice for my son and answers on how my son died. I want closure so I can move on,” she said.
Hector’s grandmother, Tiny Masilela said, “Something needs to be done very quickly with the vicious dogs because a lot of people have been complaining.”
Residents pleaded with the SPCA to come and take the dogs away and to charge the owner for negligence.
Boschkop police spokesperson Sergeant Yeroboma Mbatsane said they have opened an inquest.
He said no arrests have been made yet, but the docket has been sent to court for a decision.
“The court will give directions and we will be directed on what actions to be executed,” said Mbatsane.
Hector will be laid to rest this Thursday at Heatherly cemetery in Nellmapius.
ALSO READ: WATCH: Tshwane to streamline taxi operations in inner city to ease traffic congestion
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
