Mpumelelo Xiniwe sadly died after his three pitbulls attacked him at his Eastern Cape home on Friday evening.
Mpumelelo Xiniwe, 66, a former teacher who owned Xiniwe and Partners Funeral Undertakers, was attacked after walking a visitor to his gate.
His niece Thembisa Xiniwe said the visitor tried to save him from the dogs.
“My uncle was walking his visitor to the gate and just as he turned around after locking the gate, the dogs just attacked him.”
“Luckily his visitor was still close by and heard his cries for help. He jumped into the yard and dragged him out. He also sustained some injuries in the process,” she said.
Xiniwe died in the hospital early Saturday morning.
Police spokeswoman Lieutenant Colonel Siphokazi Mawisa confirmed the attack.
“According to the report, it is alleged that the 66-year-old man was viciously attacked by three pitbulls at Wienand Street, Alice. The incident took place on Friday, at about 7pm,” she said.
Police are investigating the death.
People on social media reacted to the incident.
“I’m actually happy that these dogs are turning on their owners, because maybe now they’ll know how dangerous pitbulls are.”
“I was once attacked by a pitbull while walking in the street – it literally jumped out of the yard and attacked me. I can’t use my one arm because of this,” said one person.
Another blamed feeding times: “You must feed them at different times because once you feed them at a fixed time every day, the one day you don’t feed them at that time they will attack you.”
Community activist Petros Majola called for respect.
“We’ve always said these dogs are dangerous, but now that someone has died we need to be mindful of what we say. May his soul rest in peace,” said Majola.
