I CAN'T LOOK IN THE MIRROR

Dipuo's life was changed forever after a vicious pit bull attack

- LESEGO SEOKWANG

HER family didn’t recognise her when she was discharged from hospital after a month of treatment. The smooth, pretty face she took so much care of was gone, replaced by a mutilated mask that terrified her grandchildren. 

She’s now fearful of leaving her home because she dreads the stares and whispers of strangers. Painkillers have become her daily salvation and she has many more surgeries ahead of her. 

Dipuo Kokolosi made national headlines a year ago when three pit bulls attacked her in the yard of her former employers. Her ears, lips, nose and parts of her arms and legs were ripped off and she’s had several operations to rebuild her face.

Shortly after YOU spoke to Dipuo, she was back in Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto for more reconstructive surgery. 

But things are better now, the 47-year-old mom of three tells us. “It used to be worse. My mouth was open and my teeth were visible.” 

Because she had no lips, she was at risk of gum disease and tooth loss. Eating was impossible. She couldn’t hold food in her mouth – it spilled out and she had to liquidise her meals and lie down to swallow. 

Surgeons have since started reconstructing her upper lip and her next surgeries will involve rebuilding her nose and right ear. 

Dipuo – whose mauling was one in a spate of pit bull attacks that sparked a petition to ban the power breed in South Africa – has regained feeling in her face and is now able to eat again.