BLOEMFONTEIN – The sentencing of the owner of the dog that mauled Olebogeng Mosime (8) to death in 2022 is scheduled for 21 April, after it was postponed in September last year. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) of South Africa in Bloemfontein confirmed the new date in the Bloemfontein Regional Court.
The sentencing of Keabetswe Moroane (43) was initially set for 2 September. The court found her guilty on a charge of culpable homicide following an incident involving her dog, a pit bull terrier.
She was convicted on 23 July last year. The incident sparked outrage and intensified the call to ban pit bulls as pets in South Africa. The dog killed the boy on 12 November in 2022 in Vista Park, Bloemfontein.
Mojalefa Senokoatsane, spokesperson for the NPA in the Free State, said sentencing would continue since a pre-sentencing report had been provided as requested by Moroane’s legal team. The dog fatally attacked Olebogeng after it broke free from its owner’s property. The boy was reportedly playing in a neighbouring garage when the dog attacked him. Olebogeng died at the scene due to severe injuries.
The court had heard that Moroane owned three dogs including the pit bull, which was known for aggressive behaviour.
It emerged that the vicious dog had previously caused much distress to residents in the area.
An investigation revealed that, despite receiving repeated complaints from neighbours, Moroane had failed to maintain adequate security measures to contain the animal.
Informed by the evidence of the investigation, Senokoatsane said the court found that the owner had acted negligently by not taking reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable harm.
He said evidence presented revealed that both Moroane and her neighbours had attempted to address the containment issue through the installation of fences and wooden poles.
Given the known history of aggression by the dog, and the repeated complaints from community members, the court ruled that she had a duty to protect others from the potential danger posed by the animal.
Olebogeng attended the Roseview Primary School in Bloemfontein.
