Philemon Mulala, a former member of Zambia’s national football team, was killed by his three dogs in South Africa.
On Saturday, January 7, 2023, Mulala, 60, was attacked at his home in Lichtenburg, North West.
On Monday, January 9, the provincial police’s spokesperson, Captain Sam Tselanyane, issued a statement confirming the occurrence.
“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,” he stated.
“Upon continuing with the search, 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,” he added.
An inquest docket has been opened as a result, and the enquiry is ongoing.
The former Mufulira Wanderers and national team player is being mourned by the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) at the moment.
Pule Iniesta Jakkals posted about Mulala’s 1988 arrival in South Africa to play for Kaizer Chiefs on the NPSL, NSL, NFL, FPL & PSL ex-Pros page on Facebook.
He also participated for Lenasia Dynamos and Cape Town Spurs.
Mulala, according to the organisation, was a significant member of the Zambian team that won the East and Central Africa Challenge cup in 1984, led by coach Col. Brightwell Banda.
The football community had lost a brave fighter, according to Adrian Kashala, general secretary of FAZ.
“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 said.
