KwaDukuza home-owner allegedly let dogs loose on Census workers

The KwaDukuza mayor has described the act as a gross violation of the municipal by-laws

Stats SA field workers conducting Census 2022 in Greyville. Picture: Bongani Mbatha African News Agency (ANA)

Published Apr 3, 2022

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Durban – The KwaDukuza Municipality mayor has criticised a family in that area for allegedly letting their dogs loose on Census 2022 staff members, leading to one worker being seriously injured.

KwaDukuza mayor Lindile Nhaca said she was shocked by the alleged incitement of dogs by a family in Glenhills against Census staff on April 1.

The incident took place while field workers were attempting to get the attention of members of the household for the Census interview.

The municipality said in a statement that having got their attention, a member of the household decided to open the gate and the dogs broke out and then rushed at the women.

As the women fled, one of them sustained injuries. She was rushed to the Glenhills Clinic for medical attention.

“I wish to express my disappointment and dismay over (the) unfortunate incident. This could be one of the most senseless and gross violations of the municipal by-laws. This once again highlights the plight and hard conditions that these foot soldiers bear within their line of duty.

“No person may – without reasonable grounds – incite a dog against another person. This is unacceptable. A dog which attempts to bite a person other than in defence of itself or its custodian is deemed to be ferocious, and this alleged incident is indeed a violation of municipal by-laws.

“What worries me the most is that the Census team was made up of only women, who simply wanted to gain lawful access to the premises,” she said.

She said Statistics South Africa is rolling out the 2022 Census population count and as part of this exercise, field workers are mandated to undertake door-to-door visits and conduct interviews with citizens to ensure that everyone gets counted.

THE MERCURY

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