HARARE – A 40-year-old Harare man whose unmuzzled dogs mauled a pedestrian to death last Saturday is also facing unrelated charges of rape, vehicle theft and drug dealing, prosecutors revealed on Tuesday.
Mike Mupinga, of New Bluffhill, appeared in court facing a culpable homicide charge after his vicious dogs killed a passerby. He was remanded in custody to Friday. Magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa deferred the bail ruling after prosecutor Rufaro Chonzi said the state would file written reasons for opposing bail on Wednesday. Defence lawyer Stephen Chikotora is expected to respond on Thursday.
The National Prosecuting Authority alleges that Mupinga acted negligently by allowing his four vicious dogs — three pit bulls and a Rottweiler — to roam freely in his rented yard, which is secured by a low perimeter wall.
On May 31, the dogs reportedly scaled the wall and attacked Samuel Machara, who was walking past the property. The dogs’ bit him repeatedly, inflicting severe injuries to his neck, limbs and abdomen Machara suffered deep wounds on his neck, hands, legs and stomach leading to his death.
A white pit bull was found with bloodstains when police visited the scene. All four dogs were seized by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) and euthanised. A photo circulated on social media days before the fatal attack showed the same dogs roaming the neighbourhood unrestrained.
