…says focus should remain on ‘Nete’s recovery as he reveals private engagement with family
Rethabile Pitso
FORMER Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) commissioner, Tšoeu Petlane, has finally broken his silence over the horrific dog attack that left 12-year-old ‘Nete Leotlela fighting for his life, saying he has deliberately stayed away from the public spotlight to allow the boy’s recovery to remain the central focus.
Mr Petlane’s comments come almost three weeks after the 6 July attack at his home, where his five German Shepherds mauled the youngster, leaving him with catastrophic facial injuries that required emergency specialist treatment in Bloemfontein, South Africa.
The incident sparked widespread public outrage and an unprecedented social media campaign, with many Basotho accusing Mr Petlane of failing to publicly account for what happened or demonstrate concern for the child’s welfare.
Since the attack, thousands of Basotho have rallied behind the Leotlela family through the Help ‘Nete Campaign, donating via M-Pesa, EcoCash, Save-A-Buddy and a bank account opened by the boy’s mother, Lineo Ramantsoe. Collectively, more than M500 000 has reportedly been raised to help meet the soaring medical costs.
Although he made several attempts to grant interviews to this publication and its sister station, Mohale FM, Mr Petlane repeatedly cancelled at the last minute, citing concerns over the growing hostility directed at him on social media.
In this first detailed interview since the attack, Mr Petlane insisted he has never abandoned the family but has instead chosen to engage them privately rather than litigate the matter in the public arena.
“We have been interacting with the family and so far the interaction has been cordial, amicable and constructive. It is our hope that it will continue with the attitude that problems are solvable. That is the degree to which I have faith in what we are doing together.
“What is important to note is that we have made some progress with the family in terms of working towards the child’s healing. We have been working on the medicals of the child and have availed resources that we could afford as a family. We are also jointly building an agenda to enable us to assist sustainably, guided by what needs may arise in the long term.”
Mr Petlane said both families had agreed that the Leotlela family would be responsible for updating the public while he remained in the background.
“There is a level at which me and the Leotlela family are part of a unit handling this issue with lead from the principals and my role as the support.
“So in supporting them, we resolved that all ongoing details will be furnished by them to the public while I remain in the background.
“The degree to which they have absorbed the kind of assistance we have offered so far is information I elect to have remain with the Leotlela family to avoid further scrutiny.”
He said public curiosity about his version of events was understandable but insisted that the child’s recovery should take precedence.
“I have since assessed that the most important issue here is the child’s healing and that is where all our energies should be focused.
“It is of no use for the public to be demanding my side of the story because I have already given the relevant information to the people who should have it, namely the family and the police.
“For the public, I can only make a plea that they continue supporting the Leotlela family towards ‘Nete’s healing.”
Mr Petlane said he would not disclose details of exactly what happened inside his yard because the matter remained legally sensitive.
“I however do not wish to engage in the process of publicising information and details, some of which are very sensitive, such as divulging what happened that day in my yard.
“The people and authorities who needed that information already have it and it is only after they have completed their own processes that I can release it.
“I don’t wish to be understood as withholding information. I am simply asking people to appreciate the processes involved.”
Pressed to explain what assistance he had provided to the family, Mr Petlane declined to elaborate, saying it was for the Leotlela family to disclose if and when they considered it appropriate.
His remarks contrast with comments previously made by ‘Nete’s mother, Ms Ramantsoe, who told this publication that apart from requesting a meeting shortly after the attack, Mr Petlane had not, at that stage, made any financial contribution towards her son’s treatment.
She also said the family had not been told exactly how the attack unfolded, beyond Mr Petlane accepting responsibility for the fact that his dogs had attacked the boy.
Another issue fuelling public debate has been the fate of the five dogs involved.
Immediately after the attack, Mr Petlane announced that all five German Shepherds would be euthanised. However, it has since emerged that only three were put down by a local veterinarian, while two remain at his property.
Explaining the decision, Mr Petlane said security concerns forced his family to keep the remaining dogs.
“In the midst of the incident, you must appreciate that there have been safety concerns arising and we were afraid that getting rid of all our dogs would expose us to some degree of vulnerability. So we kept the rest to be on guard.”
Mr Petlane declined to comment on separate allegations involving another 10-year-old girl who was reportedly fatally attacked by the same dogs earlier this year, saying only that his property had since been reinforced to prevent the animals from accessing passers-by.
He also acknowledged that the legal implications surrounding the case had contributed to his reluctance to speak publicly.
The former IEC commissioner said he feared that public statements could complicate ongoing engagements with the Leotlela family or prejudice any legal processes that may follow.
Meanwhile, there has been encouraging news regarding ‘Nete’s recovery.
After spending weeks in intensive care at a Bloemfontein hospital, the 12-year-old has reportedly been transferred to the private ward, where he continues to recover ahead of further reconstructive surgeries expected in the coming months.
Despite the progress, his family says the road to recovery remains long and costly, with extensive specialist treatment still lying ahead.
Post Views: 1,964
