WITHIN SECONDS the dog had cleared the street of people as residents and municipal workers ran for cover.
And clearly, to the pit bull with the broken chain around its neck, the mayor was just a nobody who needed to get out of its way.
JA, PASSOP MAYOR! THAT WILD INJA FEELS NOTHING FOR YOUR TITLE!
Lately, many people have been calling for pit bulls to be removed from society and not be kept as pets.
And, Emfuleni Mayor Sipho Radebe has a story of his own to support the call.
On Monday, while Radebe and his team from the roads and infrastructure department were doing road inspection in Sebokeng zone 7, Vaal, a pit bull appeared from nowhere.
In just a second, the street was cleared of people, leaving only the dog running up and down for almost 30 minutes before it disappeared.
“This is evidence enough that the motion for those dogs to be banned is long overdue,” said the mayor.
Some residents said they felt like prisoners in their homes when the dog was on the loose.
“It goes around the township and people are forced to lock their gates because it’s aggressive,” said a resident.
Evaton police spokeswoman Constable Thulisile Mosibi advised the residents to call the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).
Meanwhile, the Soweto animal rescue and advisory centre advise that if a pit bull approached, you need to stay calm. Don’t move, it said. Put your hands next to your body and avoid eye contact. Officer Jerry Selloane said pit bulls were the sweetest animals, but owners were turning them into killing machines.
“It wants to be part of the family. If you chain, cage or teach it to fight, you take away its freedom. Pit bulls are not born aggressive.”
On Sunday, Nhlanhla Mabena (28) was attacked by two pit bulls in Cool Breeze, Duduza.
She’s in a serious condition at Pholosong Hospital in Tsakane, Ekurhuleni. On Monday, angry residents called for the dogs and their owner’s blood.
“Nhlanhla was passing the street when the dogs attacked her,” a resident said.
Residents rescued her when they heard her screaming.
Her mum, Nompi Nhleko, said her daughter’s hands were now stiff.
“Doctors said the bites have affected crucial nerves. My daughter might never be able to work again.”
The owner, said to be a member of Ekurhuleni Metro Cops, insisted that his yard was secured.
He said he had taken the dogs to the Nigel SPCA, but that may not be the case.
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Residents said when they chased the dogs, they ran back into the yard through the same hole in the fence.
Sergeant Harry Manaka said: “A statement will be obtained when she wakes up, and a case of attempted murder will be opened.”
The SPCA in Cape Town said it was opposed to the calls for the ban.
“The SPCA fully supports the motion to develop and implement stronger legislation regarding the keeping and breeding of power dogs,” it said in a statement.
“Not only do people suffer from dog attacks, but other animals are also victims and have been mauled to death.
“In many instances, the animals have been subjected to abuse and cruelty.”
The department of Community Safety in Western Cape referred Daily Sun to the Department of Environmental Affairs.
Western Cape Environmental Affairs spokesman Rudolf Van Jaarsveldt said the matter doesn’t fall within their control.
He also spoke to his national counterparts who referred the SunTeam to the SPCA.
