Car Sale Owner Arrested Over Fatal Dog Attack

By Staff Reporter | Harare

The owner of Scorpion Empire Car Sale in Southerton, Harare, has been arrested in connection with the fatal dog attack that claimed the life of a 39-year-old passerby last week.

Gilbert Rumbwere, 44, was arrested on Tuesday, September 29, almost a week after Malcom Takudzwa Muzavazi was attacked by dogs near the car dealership.

Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed Rumbwere’s arrest. Muzavazi was attacked between 6 pm and 6.30 pm on September 24 while walking along a footpath between the ZESA Holdings perimeter wall and the car dealership. Police said the dogs involved were a male Belgian Malinois and three Belgian Malinois-German Shepherd crossbreeds.

At the time of the attack, the dogs were reportedly under the care of a private security guard who had released them from their kennels for feeding. The security guard, Mannex Svova, 21, and the car sale’s co-owner, Itai Tamirepi, 43, had already been arrested in connection with the incident. Rumbwere’s arrest brings the number of people arrested in connection with the case to three.

Police have not yet provided details of the specific charges faced by the suspects or indicated when they are expected to appear in court. The fatal attack has renewed concerns about the responsibility of dog owners and handlers to ensure that animals are properly confined and controlled, particularly where businesses are located close to residential areas and public walkways.

Commissioner Nyathi urged dog owners to take precautions to prevent their animals from attacking members of the public.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police reiterates that all dog owners should exercise responsibility and ensure that their dogs are properly secured and controlled at all times to prevent attacks on members of the public,” Nyathi said.

He warned against allowing dogs to roam freely in residential areas or public spaces.

“No dog should be left to roam streets or suburbs with no owner on sight or under leash,” he said.

Nyathi also reminded dog owners to comply with relevant laws, regulations and local authority by-laws governing the keeping and control of dogs.

This includes properly confining animals within private premises and ensuring they cannot escape and endanger members of the public. Police have also appealed to residents to report stray, aggressive or uncontrolled dogs before they cause harm. Reports can be made to the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA), relevant local authorities or the nearest police station.

Members of the public can also contact the ZRP National Complaints Desk on 0242 703631 or WhatsApp on 0712 800 197. The investigation into Muzavazi’s death is continuing. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Southerton fatal dog attack