Family demands justice following fatal pitbull attack on relative

A Harare family is mourning the tragic death of Samuel Machara, who was fatally mauled by a pitbull in Bluffhill over the weekend, prompting renewed calls for stricter laws regulating the ownership of dangerous dog breeds.

Machara's death, which occurred under gruesome circumstances, is the latest in a series of pitbull-related fatalities that have rocked communities and intensified public outcry over what many describe as lax enforcement and inadequate animal control policies.

The alleged owner of the dog, Mike Mupinga, appeared before the Harare Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, facing a culpable homicide charge. His bail ruling was postponed to Friday, and he remains in custody.

Elijah Machara, Samuel's nephew, recounted the harrowing moment he discovered his uncle's body after being alerted by a neighbour.

"I was told by a neighbour to come and check on an unconscious body. When I got closer, I found Uncle Samuel dead. He had a deep cut on his neck, and my worst fear became reality  -  he was dead," he said.

The Machara family is demanding accountability and justice, describing Samuel's death as preventable had authorities acted on earlier warnings.

Residents of Bluffhill accuse Mupinga of long-standing negligence, with multiple complaints having been raised about his three aggressive pitbulls.

"Mike is arrogant," said a neighbour. "We filed a lot of complaints regarding the problems and risks posed by his dogs. Unfortunately, the more you reprimanded him, the more he would show his arrogant side."

When visited by NewZimbabwe.com, Mupinga's property revealed a poorly maintained kennel and a short perimeter wall, inadequate to contain such dangerous animals.

Residents say they had lobbied authorities to intervene but were met with inaction, allowing the threat to persist until tragedy struck.

Machara's death comes amid a global debate over pitbull ownership, with at least 12 countries having banned the breed due to a history of fatal attacks. Zimbabwean voices are now joining the call for regulation or an outright ban.

Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume weighed in on the issue via social media, suggesting that the City Council may take steps to curb the threat.

"We have raised concerns. We will explore whether, as council, we can stretch our mandate. Our position is that such dogs are dangerous and must be banned or strictly regulated  -  like how one would regulate a firearm," he said.

Samuel Machara's death underscores a growing crisis around animal control and public safety in urban areas, with critics arguing that stricter legal measures and responsible pet ownership are urgently needed to protect lives.

As the nation waits for Friday's bail ruling, many in Bluffhill and beyond hope that the case will become a turning point in Zimbabwe's handling of dangerous pets  -  before another life is lost.