Simikuso 'Simi' Ntswayibana was killed after a pack of dogs targeted him and a group of friends.
Simikuso 'Simi' Ntswayibana sustained fatal injuries in the deadly attack in Sedgefield, in South Africa's Western Cape Province, on Tuesday, November 5. The Sedgefield community has reportedly been left devastated by the loss, with the youngster's heartbroken grandfather, named as Johnson Dyan, telling local media that his grandson was playing with friends when the attack took place.
He and his friends were playing together after attending school at the local Wielie Walie Creche when a pack of dogs began chasing them. One of the dogs was able to catch up with Simikuso and started viciously mauling him before he was able to get away and run into some bushes.
Mr Dyan said that scared family members immediately started searching for the four-year-old, with the community later rallying and joining the effort. He said: "We started looking for him immediately. The community and myself searched tirelessly for him, but we couldn't find him." Locals discovered his bite-marked body after searching into the night.
Police declared young Simi dead at the scene. The granddad continued: "I contacted the police and the local councillor for assistance, and it was only just before 9pm that we discovered his body." Mr Dyan said the dog who attacked his grandson had also bitten him the week before and expressed his frustration that dangerous, out of control dogs were allowed to roam freely in the area.
Speaking to the Knysa-Plett Herald, Mr Dyan added that dog owners failed to take responsibility for the attacks. He said: "We have been concerned for a while now about the number of dogs in the area, and this is not the first time one of them has caused harm. The owners don't take responsibility, and it's our children who pay the price."
The grandfather added that "everyone" loved his grandson, saying: "He was full of life, always running around with a smile. Everyone in the community loved him." In a statement to Capetown publication, a spokesperson for the South African Police Service (SAPS) said the service has registered an inquest docket for further investigation.
The spokesperson, Anelisiwe Manyana, said the young boy's body was discovered in Begonia Street, Groenvallei, Sedgefield. She said: "A search was conducted in the area and during the search the body of a boy was found with bite marks. The victim was declared deceased at the scene by the medical personnel."
The Knysa Community Police Forum extended their condolences to the four-year-old's family and the rest of the community in a post on Facebook. The post stated: "Our deepest condolences to the family, all his loved ones and Smutsville community on the sad loss of Simi."
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