BLOEMFONTEIN: After her involvement in the tragic death of little Olebogeng Mosime (8), a Bloemfontein woman will learn her fate when reappearing in the Bloemfontein Regional Court on 2 September for sentence proceedings.
The court convicted Keabetswe Moroane (43) after finding her guilty on a charge of culpable homicide following an incident involving her dog, a pit bull terrier. The dog killed the boy on 12 November in 2022 in Vista Park. She was convicted on Wednesday, 23 July, for the horrifying incident that sparked outrage and intensified the call to ban pit bulls as pets in South Africa. The dog fatally attacked Olebogeng after it broke free from its owner’s property.
The deceased was reportedly playing in a neighbouring garage when the dog attacked him. Olebogeng died at the scene from severe injuries.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has welcomed Moroane’s conviction and has further commended the efforts of the investigating and prosecution teams.
Mojalefa Senokoatsane, spokesperson the NPA in the Free State, said the court had heard that Moroane owned three dogs, including the pit bull, which was known for aggressive behaviour. He said it had emerged that the vicious dog had previously caused much distress to residents in the area.
Senokoatsane said the court found that despite receiving repeated complaints from neighbours, Moroane had failed to maintain adequate security measures to contain the animal.
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.
“However, these safety structures were not properly maintained, ultimately allowing the dog to escape on the day of the fatal incident.”
Informed by the evidence of the investigation, he said 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 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.”
Senokoatsane said a pre-sentencing report has been requested by Moroane’s legal team.
“The NPA also extends its deepest condolences to the bereaved family, who have suffered an unimaginable loss. This case serves as a somber reminder that owners of dangerous animals have a legal and moral responsibility to ensure the safety of those around them. When negligence results in injury or death, the justice system must act decisively to protect the public and hold the responsible parties accountable,” said Senokoatsane. The deceased boy attended Roseview Primary School in Bloemfontein.
