BLOEMFONTEIN – A 43-year-old Bloemfontein woman has been convicted of culpable homicide by the Bloemfontein Regional Court, in connection with the death of her neighbour’s 8-year-old son, who was killed by her Pitbull Terrier on 12 November 2022.
Keabetswe Moroane was found guilty following an incident in which her Pitbull broke free from her property, fatally attacking the young boy while he was playing in a neighbouring garage. The child died at the scene from severe injuries sustained during the attack.
The court heard that Moroane owned three dogs, including the Pitbull that was known for aggressive behaviour and had previously caused much distress to residents in the area. Despite receiving repeated complaints from neighbours, Moroane failed to maintain adequate security measures to contain the animal.
Evidence presented to the court showed that both Moroane and her neighbours had attempted to address the containment issue through the installation of fences and wooden poles. However, these safety structures were not properly maintained, ultimately allowing the dog to escape on the day of the fatal incident.
Court finds negligence
The court found that Moroane had acted negligently by not taking reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable harm. Given the known history of aggression by the dog and the prior complaints from community members, the court ruled that she had a duty of care to protect others from the potential danger posed by the animal.
Her failure to act decisively and responsibly directly resulted in the loss of a young life, the court determined.
The matter has been postponed to 2 September for sentencing. A pre-sentencing report has been requested by the defence.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has welcomed the conviction and commended the efforts of the investigating and prosecution teams.
NPA spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane said the authority extends its deepest condolences to the bereaved family, who have suffered an unimaginable loss. “This case serves as a stark reminder that owners of dangerous animals have a legal and moral responsibility to ensure the safety of those around them.”
