Court Reporter
PRESIDENT Mugabe’s neighbour, Michael Pazarangu (55), who set his dogs to hunt buck at the President’s private residence in Borrowdale, was yesterday fined US$50.
Pazarangu pleaded not guilty to the offence when he first appeared in court but later changed his plea to guilty.
He appeared 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.
The warrant of arrest he was issued with last Friday after he failed to turn up for his sentence was cancelled.
Ms Muchuchuti fined Pazarangu US$50 to be paid on or before July 4, or 30 days in prison.
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 on my person and I humbly submit that a fine of US$50 will meet the justice of the case.”
In aggravation, prosecutor Mr Desire Chidanire said Pazarangu was privileged to live next door to the President hence he should be a good neighbour.
The court heard that during the night of May 20, 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 buck.
After being startled, the dogs ran away into Pazarangu’s yard through an opening in the fence separating the two properties.