“Owner Was Rude & Ignored Complaints” – Residents React To Deadly Pitbulls Which Mauled Neighbour To Death

“He Never Listened”: Bluffhill Residents Blame Pitbulls Owner After Neighbour Mauled To Death

Residents of New Bluffhill in Harare say a tragedy long feared has finally come to pass — and they are blaming the arrogance and indifference of the pitbulls’ owner.

A 39-year-old man, Samuel Machara, was mauled to death by pitbulls on Saturday morning. The dogs allegedly belong to Mike Mupinga, 40, who was later arrested for culpable homicide.

According to witnesses, Machara’s body was discovered just outside the Mupinga residence. Police confirmed visible dog bite wounds, and the body was taken to Parirenyatwa Hospital for post-mortem.

“On 01/06/25, ZRP Mabelreign arrested Mike Mupinga (40) in connection with a case of culpable homicide… his pit-bull dogs allegedly attacked and mauled Samuel Machara (39) to death,”
— Zimbabwe Republic Police (@PoliceZimbabwe)

“We Begged Him to Secure the Dogs – He Told Us to F* Off”**

Several residents have taken to social media, expressing shock, anger and frustration — not only at the incident, but at what they say was a long pattern of the owner’s rude behaviour and neglect.

“Apa he keeps them pane half durawall. We complained but he ignored us,”
— @SamanthaMtomba.

Apa he keeps them pane half durawall. We complained but he ignored us. pic.twitter.com/OU0qqdXmV0

— Samy.mt (@SamanthaMtomba) June 1, 2025

“You know him very well, very rude and it’s disgusting,”
— @BlueTee98

Neighbour Maynard Manyowa, an investigative journalist, recalled his own terrifying encounter with the same dogs.

“I know the house. It’s not just one dog. In 2023 they chased my kids. Last year they killed another dog. Owner was rude when we pleased with him. His dogs move around as a pack at night and cause real terror. They have killed people’s cats, dogs and chickens. And isn’t the first attack on people either. I think council and some authorities came in 2024 in response and took away some strays. Some were taken. But owner claimed they were not strays. I have no kind words for the owner.,”
— @iAmKudaMaynard

He added:

“The dogs are like a wolf pack at night. And the owners are just arrogant and tell everyone to F off. It’s a surprise it has taken this long for tragedy to strike. Given their dogs move as a pack at attack people the entire neighbourhood..”

“A disaster waiting to happen”

Others in the neighbourhood echoed the view that Mupinga had been warned repeatedly.

“Those pitbulls were always out. They weren’t tied up, and we feared this day would come,”
— Local resident, Bluffhill

Another neighbour, who declined to be named, said:

“We’ve seen the dogs loose many times. We warned Mike to secure them, but nothing was done. Now someone has died.”

Zimbabwean politician and journalist Ibbo Mandaza added,

“Incredible that this fiend has been on the loose for so long with his killer dogs.” — @ibbosnr

CrimeWatchZW was one of the first to break the news:

“A pitbull has killed a man in his 30s in New Bluffhill. The dog has a tendency of jumping the half durawall. Residents have raised concerns before.”

Journalist and local resident, Simiso Mlevu, revealed that the dogs had bitten a maid in the past.

“Zake zaluma uMaid… wamdingela a helper waze waphola elokhe esendlini.”-@mlevu28

She also added that despite repeated warnings in the past, the owner of the deadly pitbulls was never bothered.

“Worse keeping them pamba isina peri-meter wall. Residents have been complaining, and the man is never bothered.”

“We are not safe. We need protection.”

Former Harare City Deputy Mayor Kudzie Kadzombe confirmed the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) had intervened. Four dogs — two pitbulls, a Rottweiler and an Angarian Mastiff — were reportedly removed.

“The owner claimed they weren’t strays. But the dogs were known in the area. There are pictures of them roaming. We are not safe,”
— Concerned resident

Another local wrote:

“These dogs are not for the suburbs. What if next time it’s a child?”

The tragedy has sparked national debate about pitbulls and dog ownership. Many are demanding tighter laws.

“Owners of these dogs are always getting away with it. Precious life lost just like that. Why isn’t the law working?”
— @McdouglasNyaks1

Others questioned whether influence or wealth allowed Mike Mupinga to ignore past warnings.

“Why the law is not working? Is it because some people who do these crimes are rich?”

Legal consequences await

Mupinga is now facing charges under Zimbabwe’s Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23, which provides for life imprisonment or a fine for culpable homicide.

The Bluffhill community, however, says it shouldn’t have come to this.