A mother has been mauled to death by four pit bulls after allegedly smacking her son in the garden.
Nomathemba Kweleta was visiting her boyfriend’s home at the time.
The 28-year-old reportedly smacked one of her children in the garden while hanging out the washing.
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The pit bulls reacted angrily and pounced on the mother while she was holding her baby.
The dogs’ owner was not at home at the time of the incident.
Neighbours heard the woman’s screams and tried to intervene.
A resident’s Rottweiler tried to stop the four dogs from attacking the pair.
The victim managed to protect her infant, but was fatally mauled in the attack.
The baby survived with minor injuries.
The pit bulls were put down by the authorities while the Rottweiler was spared for protecting the victim.
The attack took place in Bloemfontein, South Africa.
The community in Namibia Square in the city remains in a state of shock over the mother’s death.
The victim’s relative Vuyani Mantshiyane told local media: “It is a miracle that the baby is okay.
“We thank God for this.”
Her cousin Sisonke Nayinayi said: “I rushed to the scene, the police were present and I alerted them that I was the victim’s cousin.
“I had to explain to the officers how I heard of the incident, and they granted me access to the crime scene to make a positive identification.
Aunt Tambo Tsholela said: “She loved her children, she used to walk the five-year-old to school.
“The way he was so close to his mum, he is even asking where his mother is and when is her funeral.”
The police rounded up the four dogs and decided to euthanize them due to the seriousness of the attack, as reported by Need To Know.
Her boyfriend, the dogs’ owner, has been arrested on a charge of culpable homicide as the investigation continues.
Free State premier Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae said: “I’ll be directing our government to implement henceforth effective safety measures to prevent such vicious attacks on our people.”
The investigation continues.
