BLOEMFONTEIN – The grief-stricken parents of Kabelo Lion (2), who died on Sunday 22 February after a dog attack on the Lakeview Plots in Bloemfontein, are struggling to come to terms with their loss. The couple, Sesi Lion and Tsokolo Maboe, continue to be haunted by the traumatic memories of the attack on their child by the neighbour’s dog.
During a BloemExpress visit to their residence, both parents indicated they were unable to speak with the media given the trauma following the death of their little boy. The mother, who was present during the attack, survived with bite wounds. The child died shortly afterwards from severe injuries suffered during the attack, according to police.
Lion and her son were walking down the road when they were surprised by the animal. She is undergoing medical treatment together with another child, reportedly attacked by a dog the previous day.
The police in Bloemspruit are investigating a case of culpable homicide involving the aggressive dog. No arrests have been made at this stage.
Sgt. Mahlomola Kareli, provincial spokesperson for the Free State police, said the incident occurred during the day, at approximately 11:00.
He said that according to preliminary reports, the dog (identified as a Boerboel) escaped from a neighbouring property.
“The animal reportedly navigated through a gap in a fence into an adjacent yard, before exiting through a gate to reach the victims on the street. The dog inflicted severe bite wounds to the right side and middle of the child’s head,” said Kareli.
He said the pet also attacked the mother, who desperately attempted to save her son’s life.
“The mother intervened, the dog briefly turned on her, biting her on the left arm, before returning to continue its assault on the child,” said Kareli.
He said the dog stopped after a passing child threw a stone at it, causing it to flee the scene.
“A Good Samaritan rushed both the child and his mother to the hospital, but the two-year-old boy succumbed to his injuries and was certified dead on arrival,” said Kareli.
■ This event follows that of Olebogeng Mosime, who was killed by a neighbour’s pit bull on 13 November 2022 in Vista Park. The deceased child attended the Roseview Primary School.
The dog fatally attacked the boy after it had broken free from its owner’s property.
In that instance, the owner, Keabetswe Moroane, was eventually convicted of culpable homicide in July 2025 due to negligence in securing her aggressive animal. Evidence presented in court found that despite receiving repeated complaints from neighbours, Moroane had failed to maintain adequate security measures to contain the animal.
Additional evidence revealed her neighbours had attempted to address the containment issue through the installation of fences and wooden poles. Moroane is awaiting sentencing after a postponement. The proceedings were initially set for 2 September last year.
