Pit bulls owner in custody

Yeukai Karengezeka

Court Correspondent

A HARARE man whose pit bulls fatally attacked a passerby in Bluffhill last month remains in custody, but has informed the court of his intention to apply for bail.

Previously, the accused, Mike Mapinga, through his former lawyer, Mr Stephen Chikotora, opted not to pursue a bail application, citing the need to first address an outstanding warrant of arrest.

The warrant stemmed from allegations that he raped his maid.

The warrant was later cancelled by regional magistrate Ms Sandra Mupindu after a medical doctor testified that Mapinga’s failure to appear in court was due to illness.

With this matter now cleared, the trial for the rape case is scheduled to begin on June 26.

Regarding the culpable homicide case, Mapinga has hired a new lawyer and plans to submit a fresh bail application on June 27 before Harare regional magistrate Mrs Marehwanazvo Gofa.

The State alleges that Mapinga, the owner of three pit bulls and a Rottweiler, acted negligently by leaving his unmuzzled dogs unsupervised in the yard of his rented property.

The yard was only secured by a low brick-and-mortar perimeter wall.

It is alleged that after releasing the dogs into the yard, Mapinga went into his bedroom, leaving them unattended.

The dogs reportedly scaled the low wall and attacked Samuel Machara, a passerby walking along a nearby street.

Machara reportedly sustained severe injuries to his neck, hands, legs, stomach, and other parts of his body, which ultimately led to his death.