News24.com | Deadly pit bull attack: Dog owner remains in custody

Melitta Sekole, 43, was mauled to death by three pit bulls.

WARNING: This article includes descriptions of a violent nature that may upset sensitive readers.

• The owner of three pit bulls that mauled a woman is to remain in custody until his next court appearance. 
• Chance Masebe faces charges of culpable homicide after three of his dogs attacked Melitta Sekole on 23 December.
• It was revealed that Masebe was born in Zimbabwe and was in possession of two South African IDs.

The owner of three pit bulls that mauled a 43-year-old woman, resulting in her death, will remain in custody until his status in the country is confirmed, and for his formal bail application.

Chance Masebe, 62, faces charges of culpable homicide after three of his dogs attacked Melitta Sekole on 23 December in Vivo, a small town in Limpopo.

Masebe appeared in the Senwabarwana Magistrate's Court on Thursday. 

The spokesperson for Limpopo's National Prosecuting Authority, Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi, said it was revealed that Masebe was born in Zimbabwe and was in possession of two South African IDs. 

His matter was postponed to 12 January for further investigation, a formal bail application, and his status in the country to be verified, Malabi-Dzhangi said.

READ | 'These are not pets': Man gives away his two pit bulls after news of child mauled to death

Sekole's brother, Frans Phala, previously described the attack to News24, saying: "Part of the flesh from her calves, thighs, buttocks and breasts was eaten by those dogs. They didn't bite my sister. They ate her flesh."

He said Sekole's right arm was amputated at the hospital because the dogs ate a large chunk of it.

She eventually succumbed to her injuries at Polokwane Hospital on 28 December.

The family said Sekole had died a brutal death. 

Sekole leaves behind three children, aged eight, 17 and 20.