Dog attack victim’s struggle for surgery
Mthatha woman who lost eye now mocked by neighbours
AN ELDERLY Mthatha widow is desperately seeking medical facial reconstruction after an attack by two pitbull dogs two years ago left her with one eye.
NoViolet Mzukwa, 61, from Ngangelizwe township in Mthatha, is being mocked by her neighbours and nicknamed “Bra Darkie” , after a one-eyed fictional character in the popular TV series Velaphi.
She was attacked by the pitbulls belonging to her neighbour. The female was pregnant at the time they charged Mzukwa on the morning of September 8 2015.
“The two pitbulls attacked me from behind, biting my arms before grabbing my left eye. I never opened a case with the police because their owner promised me compensation and to cover my medical bills.
“To this day however this never happened and I am forced to cover my left eyesocket. I am now being called Bra Darkie [a character from the TV show Velaphi , who wears an eyepatch to fool his employer that he is disabled],” said the elderly woman.
She said she now desperately needed help and funds to see an eye specialist and cosmetic surgeon to fix her eye and face. “At Nelson Mandela Central Hospital I was only given painkillers and bandages to cover my face.
“The dogs’ owner offered me R5 000, but according to a specialist in East London the medical operation I am hoping for will cost R250 000.
“The dogs are still on the loose in our street. It’s very traumatic for me and I’m worried their next meal will be a young kid that might not be lucky enough to survive.”
Mzukwa’s neighbour and owners of the dogs, Mamsy and Fezile Pewa, who threatened to sue if they were named, said they were willing to help Mzukwa, but could not manage to pay R250 000.
“She refused my R5 000 offer, saying it was a petty amount. Unfortunately I can’t afford to fund a cosmetic reconstruction for her at the moment,” said Fezile, with Mamsy by his side.
“My female dog was pregnant at the time so it became wild and had strange cravings like human flesh, soap and even clothes, but I always keep them locked up in a cage. I don’t know how they escaped at the time,” said Fezile.
Mthatha SPCA inspector Monde Magawu yesterday said they could only intervene in the matter if Mzukwa were to open a case.
Police spokesman LieutenantMzukisi Fatyela said it is was not too late for Mzukwa to open a case of negligence against her neighbour.
Health provincial spokesman Sizwe Kupelo said at Nelson Mandela Central Hospital there was a maxillofacial specialist who could assess Mzukwa’s condition.
“Government hospitals do not perform cosmetic reconstruction (of this nature). A maxillofacial specialist, however, could assess the area around her left eye-socket.”