Police vow to probe death of Secunda domestic worker mauled by employer’s dogs
Police have vowed to probe the death of Secunda domestic worker Tryphina Mngomezulu who was allegedly mauled to death by six dogs.
Mpumalanga Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Semakaleng Manamela says they will thoroughly investigate the inquest case and circumstances that led to the untimely death of Secunda domestic worker Tryphina Mngomezulu without any fear of favour.
The 65-year-old domestic worker reportedly passed away on Saturday, 2 March, after she was allegedly mauled to death by her employer’s dogs.
SAPS TO PROBE SECUNDA DOMESTIC WORKER’S DEATH
South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson in Mpumalanga, Colonel Donald Mdhluli said police as well as emergency services personnel in Secunda received a call about the incident from the woman’s employers. An emergency team arrived at the scene and declared that Mngomezulu was no more.
Mdhluli said an inquest case is being investigated by a team of experts in the investigation field.
“The team has so far managed to make some progress in the investigation, one being the confiscation of CCTV footage. Police would like to refute suggestions that there was load shedding during the time of the incident,” he explained.
“There is no way that we can allow a situation to be influenced and be misdirected from the truth, hence the need for an investigation to be conducted,” he explained.
In addition, the police commissioner said the investigation should be objective so that the truth of what has transpired is made known.
“We plead with the family as well as members of the public to allow a space for the investigation team to do their work diligently and not compromise the integrity of this investigation,” Semakaleng said.
DOGS HAVE ALREADY BEEN PUT DOWN
Mdhluli said the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) has already been contacted. The concerned dogs which allegedly attacked and killed the domestic were put down on Sunday, 3 March.
A preliminary investigation by the SAPS suggests that Tryphina Mngomezulu was allegedly attacked by about six dogs at the time when her employers were not at home; however, the probe is still ongoing and nothing has been concluded.
Therefore, police have urged anyone who might have crucial information that may in any way assist in the investigation not to keep quiet with that information but people are encouraged to bring forth such valuable details by either contacting the police in Secunda or calling the Crime Stop number at 08600 10111.
Alternatively, members of the public can send information via MYSAPSAPP. All received information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous.