Police in Mpumalanga, South Africa, have launched an inquest following the death of a 58-year-old man who was mauled by his employer’s pit bull in Marapyane, Mmametlhake, during the early hours of Friday, October 18.
According to police spokesperson Col. Donald Mdhluli, the victim, who lived on the property and cared for the pit bulls, was attacked when he returned from an outing late Thursday night.
The dogs, typically locked up and released between 1 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. to patrol the premises, reportedly turned on him as he re-entered.
“It is suspected that the dog attacked him upon his return, leading to his death,” said Mdhluli. A security guard discovered the man’s lifeless body with the pit bull still nearby.
Medical personnel arrived and confirmed his death, noting multiple injuries from the attack.
The employer quickly alerted authorities, and police found the body with severe injuries. The pit bull responsible for the attack was euthanized by the SPCA on Saturday, October 19.
Mpumalanga’s acting provincial police commissioner, Maj-Gen Zeph Mkhwanazi, expressed condolences to the victim’s family and urged calm while the investigation proceeds.
“We ask for patience and calm during this time, allowing the investigation team to conduct a thorough inquiry without interference,” Mkhwanazi stated.
