The man who was killed by his own pitbulls in North West two days ago has been identified as former Zambian soccer star Philemon Mulala.
The Football Association of Zambia issued a statement of condolences following his death.
“The Football Association of Zambia joins the rest of the football family in mourning former Mufulira Wanderers and Zambia National Team star Philemon Mulala. The former KK11 star died in South Africa after reportedly being attacked by his own dogs,” the statement said.
The country’s football governing body said Mulala was notably part of the 1984 East and Central Africa Challenge squad under Colonel Brightwell Banda that won the trophy.
Man killed by his own pitbulls
The general secretary of the organisation Adrian Kashala says the football family had lost a gallant soldier.
“We remain with wonderful memories that the late Philemon honoured us with on the pitch. There is a lot that today’s players can learn from the deceased’s generation,” Kashala says.
Police in North West said two of the dogs that killed Mulala are pit bulls and the other breed is unknown.
Police spokesman Captain Sam Tselanyane said that the body of a 60-year-old man from Lichtenburg was found dead by his wife in their garden on Saturday.
“It is alleged that on the said day during load shedding, the deceased’s wife was busy on the other side of their house when she heard the dogs barking.
“She didn’t bother to go and check what was wrong as their house is situated on a busy street and the dogs are frequently barking at pedestrians and vehicles passing by.
“Moreover, after the electricity was restored, she allegedly went inside the house looking for her husband, but could not find him,” said Tselanyane.
She continued with the search but she was shocked to find her husband’s body in the garden.
“The woman saw her husband lying motionless outside in the garden, she then quickly went outside only to find that her husband was bitten by their dogs. Two staffie/pitbull crossings and one unknown breed dog. Police and Emergency Medical Rescue Services (EMRS) were called and the man was certified dead at the scene. The SPCA were also called and the three dogs were removed from the premises,” said Tselanyane.
Police said an inquest docket has been opened and investigation into the matter continues.
