“We Begged Him to Secure the Dogs – He Told Us to F* Off”: Bluffhill Residents Furious After Man Mauled to Death by Pitbulls
“We Begged Him to Secure the Dogs – He Told Us to F* Off”: Bluffhill Residents Furious After Man Mauled to D£ath by Pitbulls – Harare – A New Bluffhill community is reeling in anger and heartbreak after 39-year-old Samuel Machara was mauled to death by vicious pitbulls on Saturday morning — dogs that residents say had long terrorised the area with zero accountability from their arrogant owner.
The brutal @ttack happened just outside the home of Mike Mupinga (40), the man believed to own the dogs.
He was arrested by police and now faces a charge of culpable homicide.
“We begged him to secure the dogs – he told us to f*** off,” said one neighbour, visibly shaken. “Now someone is dead.”
According to residents, the tragedy was years in the making.
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Multiple complaints had been raised about the aggressive pitbulls, which reportedly roamed the area in packs, jumping half-height durawalls, attacking pets, and even threatening children.
“These dogs once chased my kids in 2023,” wrote investigative journalist Maynard Manyowa. “They’ve killed other dogs, cats and chickens. Council even came last year, but the owner insisted they weren’t strays. We all saw this coming.”
Another resident, @SamanthaMtomba, posted:
“Apa he keeps them pane half durawall. We complained but he ignored us.”
Journalist Simiso Mlevu added that the dogs had previously bitten a maid and were housed in a yard without a proper perimeter wall, despite repeated warnings from neighbours.
Former Harare City Deputy Mayor Kudzie Kadzombe confirmed that the SPCA had intervened, removing four dogs — two pitbulls, a Rottweiler, and an Angarian Mastiff.
“These dogs were known in the area. There are pictures of them roaming. We are not safe,” said one concerned resident.
Residents expressed frustration at the authorities for not acting sooner.
“Why wasn’t this man stopped earlier? Why does it take death for the law to respond?” asked one local.
Police confirmed the arrest via Twitter:
“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.”
Under Zimbabwe’s Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23, culpable homicide can carry a life sentence or a heavy fine.
The Bluffhill community is now united in grief — but also anger. Many say the tragedy could have been easily prevented.
“He refused to act. We warned him, we pleaded with him,” said one neighbour. “This was a disaster waiting to happen. Now an innocent man is gone — and for what?”
Calls are growing louder for Zimbabwe to enforce stricter dog ownership laws, especially around aggressive breeds like pitbulls.
“Next time it could be a child. These dogs are not for the suburbs,” said a resident. “We need protection — from both animals and their careless owners.”
