PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe’s neighbour in the upmarket suburb of Borrowdale Brooke, accused of setting his dogs on game within the Zimbabwean leader’s sprawling mansion, was Monday convicted and sentenced to an effective one month in gaol.
Fifty-five year-old Michael Pazarangu gave himself up when a warrant of arrest was issued last week after he failed to appear in court for trial.
Harare Magistrate, Vongai Muchuchuti, warned Pazarangu to “refrain from further trouble” and live in harmony with his esteemed neighbours.
Pazarangu was given an option to pay a $50 fine if he is to escape jail for negligently letting his ferocious dogs roam freely against Section 46 (2)(r) of the Third Schedule of the Criminal Law and Codification Act.
In his defence Pazarangu’s lawyer, Don Moyo said the crime had brought unnecessary attention to the accused because of the status of the complainant (Mugabe).
“There is enough evidence against the accused person. It is a privilege for the accused to be a neighbour of the President and he must not have attracted unnecessary attention due to his conduct,” said Chidanire.
According to the State on the night of May 22, Sergeant Mike Dheremete started his night guard duties around 1900hours, at the President’s private Borrowdale residence.
It is alleged that he carried out his routine perimeter checks and concluded that everything was in good order.
An inspection revealed a dead buck lying on the ground. The animal had been attacked and showed wounds on its neck while its private parts had been bitten off.
Dheremete allegedly informed his superiors before handing over duty to Mhere who, on the same day, allegedly saw Pazarangu’s two dogs near the carcass ready to feed.
The dogs later fled into Pazarangu’s yard through an opening in the fence separating the two properties, but were later identified by officials from Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority.