Mitchells Plain – A 44-year-old Cape Town woman, Faziela Swartz, died after being mauled by her own pit bulls in her backyard in Mitchells Plain. The attack occurred last week, and Swartz succumbed to her injuries on Tuesday, February 3.
Neighbours watched in horror as the two pit bulls attacked Swartz in the backyard of her home in Maralize Street, Morgenster. They desperately tried to stop the attack, throwing rocks, planks, shoes, and water at the dogs, and even shooting them with a pellet gun, but the dogs continued their relentless assault.
Mitchells Plain police station commander Brigadier Brian Muller confirmed that officers responded to the dog attack on Wednesday, January 28, just after 13:00. By the time officers arrived, Swartz had already been taken to the hospital in a private vehicle.
The dogs, described as “insanely aggressive” and reportedly involved in previous biting incidents, were surrendered by the family and euthanized by the Cape of Good Hope SPCA. SPCA spokesperson Belinda Abraham expressed sorrow over the mauling, noting that the deceased’s son had previously been bitten by the same dogs.
The attack was captured in a two-minute video circulating on social media, showing Swartz lying on the ground while her pets bit into her. A neighbor attempted to use a plank to separate the animals from the woman, but they remained relentless.
Her family declined to comment, but neighbors who witnessed the horrific events expressed relief at the dogs’ removal. One neighbor said, "Those two dogs were insanely aggressive. I failed to understand how Fazi could keep them for so long on the property, even after her own son was attacked by the same dogs last year.”
The tragedy has also reignited debates around dog ownership and public safety.
The Pit Bull Federation of South Africa maintained that the breed should not be banned. Its spokesperson, Lehanda Rheeder, said the responsibility lies with the owner to ensure their dogs are securely contained, socialized, and properly cared for. She added that effective solutions lie in stronger enforcement of existing laws, owner accountability, and public education across all dog breeds.
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