Rabies case spills into court

Court Reporter
A 63-year-old man whose dog mauled a neighbour who later succumbed to rabies has appeared in court. Eleuterio Siphambaniso Mahara of Chinamhora Street, Old Mabvuku appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Elijah Makomo.

He pleaded not guilty to culpable homicide charges. In his defence Mahara said he gave the deceased, Gibson Nyamupinga (27) money for medical bills but he bought beer with the money.

“It is alleged he was bitten by a brown dog but my dog is black,” said Mahara.

He was remanded to October 28 for trial. It is the State’s case that on January 31 this year at around 9am, the deceased Nyamupinga went to Mahara’s house intending to fetch water from a well.

While standing at the well, the court heard that Mahara’s brown dog approached Nyamupinga. The dog allegedly bit him by the trousers as it pulled him, trying to shred it.

Nyamupinga allegedly tried to free himself but the dog bit him once on the left thumb. He sustained a minor cut, the court heard. It is alleged that the dog appeared ferocious and Nyamupinga went to Mabvuku Police Station to report the matter.

He was immediately rushed to Mabvuku Clinic for emergency treatment and was later transferred to Beatrice Road Infectious Diseases Hospital. Nyamupinga was prescribed three daily injections for three days and was discharged.

It is alleged that on February 13 this year Nyamupinga got seriously ill while at home and his relatives took him to Beatrice Road Infectious Diseases Hospital. He was pronounced dead on arrival.