The man whose dogs mauled a 43-year-old woman to death has been granted R5000 bail by the Senwabarwana magistrate’s court in Limpopo on Thursday.
Nchabeleng Charles Masebe, who has been charged with culpable homicide, appeared in court on Thursday.
The 62-year-old was arrested and charged after his dogs killed Melitta Sekole on 23 December.
Sekole was on her way to work when she was allegddly attacked by two dogs, believed to be pit bulls, in Vivo of the Blouberg Local Municipality.
The woman was later transferred to a provincial hospital in Polokwane where she succumbed to the injuries on 27 December.
Initial reports by police said the dogs were pit bulls but they are actually Rottweilers.
During court proceedings, state prosecutor Karabo Tefo said bail would not be opposed as Masebe was charged with a schedule one offence and had no prior convictions or pending cases.
Masebe’s bail conditions include reporting to the Mara police station every Friday and handing over his travel documents.
Tefo also confirmed that Masebe’s dogs would be put down after his lawyer Mando Matshisevhe wrote to the SPCA in Louis Trichardt granting permission.
Matshisevhe confirmed this, adding that her client would adhere to bail conditions.
“I have drafted a letter to authorise the SPCA to put the dogs down,” she said.
Community members who were demonstrating at court along with some of Sekole’s relatives expressed disappointment after the court 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.
“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 al least wipe our tears,” Phala said.
The case was postponed to 26 April.
Source: The Citizen, Times Live, Sowetan Live, SABC News, image from Twitter: @Ditaba_Dikgang