Boksburg, Gauteng – Popular Generations: The Legacy actor Mondli Thusi is now recuperating at home after a terrifying ordeal saw him hospitalised for two weeks following a vicious attack by two pit bulls. The incident, which occurred on May 4 just outside his residential complex in Boksburg, Gauteng, has reignited urgent conversations surrounding dangerous dog breeds, responsible pet ownership, and public safety in South African communities.
Thusi, discharged on May 15 from Tambo Memorial Hospital, spoke exclusively to News24 on Friday, vividly recalling the harrowing moments when the two powerful dogs set upon him. His account paints a chilling picture of an unprovoked assault that left him with severe injuries and a renewed perspective on the dangers posed by certain breeds.
“I decided to take a walk to a nearby garage, it was just after 18:00. There weren’t many people outside because it was getting dark, as it does in winter,” Thusi began, setting the scene for the unexpected encounter. “When I looked across the road, I saw two dogs coming towards me, and before I could even react, they started attacking me.” The suddenness of the assault left him little time to prepare, plunging him into a desperate struggle for survival.
In a desperate attempt to ward off his attackers, Thusi instinctively shouted “voetsek” – a common South African command to shoo away animals. However, his plea fell on deaf ears. “I let out a loud voetsek (go away), hoping the dogs would retreat, but it didn’t work, and by then they were already sinking their teeth into him,” he recounted, highlighting the dogs’ relentless aggression. The attack, which Thusi described as a “street fight,” left him with extensive wounds across his body.
“I have serious injuries all over my body and the most severe one on my limbs, on both the right and the left side,” Thusi revealed, underscoring the brutality of the mauling. He estimated the attack lasted only a few minutes, but for him, time stretched interminably. “While the attack probably only lasted a few minutes, it felt like a long time for him, and he lost so much blood.” The sheer volume of blood loss left him disoriented and dizzy, a testament to the ferocity of the pit bulls.
The actor’s life was potentially saved by the timely intervention of an unknown Good Samaritan. “I don’t know when it happened, but as I was fighting the dogs, a white van pulled up and a man carrying something in his hand – I’m not sure if it was a gun, baton or something else. But he said something to the dogs, and they let me go,” Thusi explained. This mysterious figure’s appearance proved crucial, causing the dogs to disengage and allowing Thusi a momentary reprieve.
Following the terrifying encounter, Thusi began the arduous walk back to his residential complex. It was there that concerned neighbours spotted his bloodied and injured state and immediately rushed to his aid. Fortuitously, one of his neighbours was a paramedic, who quickly utilised an available first-aid kit to provide crucial initial treatment before arranging for his admission to Tambo Memorial Hospital. “I was bleeding so much that I was dizzy,” Thusi reiterated, emphasising the severity of his condition upon receiving help.
Reflecting on the traumatic experience, Thusi expressed a profound sentiment of disbelief and condemnation. “No one deserves what happened to me. I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy. Those things are savage. They are brutal, and they really should not be allowed to live alongside human beings,” he stated, his words carrying the weight of his personal suffering and a broader concern for public safety.
While recuperating in hospital, Thusi took immediate steps to seek justice, opening a case with the South African Police Service (SAPS) and enlisting the services of an attorney. He also confirmed that the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) has been contacted and is actively assisting in the investigation, particularly as he was unable to immediately identify the owner of the two aggressive dogs.
Gauteng SAPS spokesperson Colonel Noxolo Kweza officially confirmed the incident, stating: “I can confirm that we are investigating a case of keeping a ferocious dog, following an incident where a man was attacked and bitten by dogs.” This official confirmation underscores the seriousness with which authorities are treating the matter and the potential legal ramifications for the dogs’ owner.
The incident has inevitably reignited a passionate and often contentious debate across South Africa regarding pit bull attacks, existing dog ownership laws, and the critical responsibilities that pet owners bear, especially in densely populated residential areas. Sizwe Kupelo, patron and founder of the Sizwe Kupelo Foundation, a prominent advocate for stricter regulations, voiced his dismay.
“Pitbull attacks on humans have escalated into a public safety crisis that the government prefers to wish away. Yet again, another victim—this time a prominent figure in South Africa’s entertainment industry—is fighting for his life after being mauled by his own dogs,” Kupelo asserted, highlighting the perceived inaction from authorities. His foundation has been at the forefront of this advocacy, having launched an online campaign in 2022 calling for a total ban on the pit bull breed in South Africa and the stringent regulation of all other power breeds. That petition garnered an impressive 139,000 signatures, demonstrating significant public support for their cause. The Sizwe Kupelo Foundation continues to press the government for intervention, arguing that the current legal framework is insufficient to protect citizens from such dangerous encounters.
This latest attack on a well-known public figure serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing threat posed by irresponsible dog ownership and the urgent need for comprehensive legislative and enforcement measures to ensure the safety of all community members. The outcome of Thusi’s legal pursuit and the ongoing investigations by SAPS and SPCA will be closely watched, as they could set important precedents for future cases and potentially influence policy changes regarding dangerous dog breeds in South Africa.
