Mugabe's neighbour issued with warrant of arrest

President Mugabe's neighbour, Michael Pazarangu (55), accused of setting his dogs to hunt buck at the President's private residence in Borrowdale yesterday changed his plea of not guilty to guilty.

But he was issued with a warrant of arrest after he failed to turn up for his sentence when he disappeared after the court took a break.

Pazarangu is appearing before Harare magistrate Ms Vongai Muchuchuti for letting his unmuzzled ferocious dogs roam freely as defined in Section 46 (2)(r) of the Third Schedule of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9.23.

In mitigation, the married father of three told the court that the offence was not serious although it had a great element of negligence.
"The incident which occurred a year ago should have been dealt with in terms of the city-by laws," said Pazarangu. "This matter has attracted a lot of publicity and has negatively affected me and my family.

"I have US$50 in person and I humbly submit that a fine of US$20 will meet the justice of the case."
In aggravation, prosecutor Mr Desire Chidanire said Pazarangu was privileged to live next door to the President's neighbour, hence he should be a good neighbour.
His sentence was postponed to 2.15pm, but Pazarangu did not show up, prompting Ms Muchuchuti to issue a warrant of arrest.

The court heard that during the night of May 22, 2013 Sergeant Mike Dheremete started his night guard duty around 7pm at the President's private residence along Borrowdale Brooke Road in Borrowdale.

He carried out his routine perimeter checks and concluded that everything was in order. The following day at around 5am, Sgt Dheremete heard monkeys chattering and went to check on what was happening.

The court heard that he followed the monkeys up to a small gate and discovered a dead buck lying on the ground.
Sgt Dheremete informed his superiors before handing over duty to Sgt Mhere.

The same day, Sgt Mhere saw Pazarangu's two dogs drooling, ready to feed on the carcass of the dead buck.
After being startled, the dogs ran away into Pazarangu's yard through an opening in the fence separating the two properties.