A 74-year-old farmer from Darwendale, Billjohn Takawira Magede, has been hauled before the Banket Magistrates’ Court after two of his Boerboel dogs mauled a young boy to death in a shocking and tragic incident.
Magede now faces a culpable homicide charge over the death of Shelton Panganai, a 10-year-old boy who was killed on July 17 at Bonvalley Farm.
According to a statement from the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ), the fatal attack occurred while Shelton was playing soccer with three of his friends at the farm. The boys were enjoying their game when, without warning, two aggressive Boerboel dogs charged toward them.
The Fate Of The 10-Year-Old Child
Startled and terrified, the children scattered in different directions in an attempt to escape. While the others managed to get away, Shelton was not as fortunate. As he ran toward a nearby gum tree plantation, the dogs caught up with him and launched a vicious attack.
Witnesses say the dogs relentlessly mauled the young boy, leaving him critically injured. After the attack, the traumatised friends quickly ran to alert their families and other residents about the horrifying incident.
A frantic search for Shelton ensued, with community members combing through the area. Tragically, the search ended in heartbreak later that evening when Shelton’s lifeless body was discovered in the gum tree plantation. He was found lying face down and completely naked, a grim indication of the ferocity of the mauling.
Subsequent veterinary examinations confirmed that both dogs had tested positive for rabies, a deadly viral disease that can be transmitted to humans and other animals through bites and scratches. This finding added another layer of tragedy to the case, as it highlighted the urgent need for responsible pet ownership and proper vaccination.
The NPAZ has stressed that the case is still under investigation, with authorities gathering further evidence to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident. The court has postponed the matter to August 19 to allow investigators more time to complete their enquiries.
In the meantime, the incident has sparked a wave of concern in the Darwendale community and beyond, with many calling for stricter laws and enforcement around the ownership of potentially dangerous dog breeds.
Animal welfare and public health officials are also using the case as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by unvaccinated pets. The NPAZ has urged all pet owners—particularly those who keep dogs—to ensure their animals are properly vaccinated against rabies and kept under secure control at all times. Failure to do so, they warn, not only puts the public at risk but can also lead to criminal charges in the event of an attack.
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Rabies remains a serious public health threat in Zimbabwe and across many parts of Africa. The disease is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, but it can be effectively prevented through timely vaccination of pets and, in the case of exposure, immediate medical treatment for humans.
As the community mourns the loss of a young life cut short, the case serves as a painful reminder of how quickly joy can turn into tragedy. What began as an innocent afternoon of play ended in unimaginable sorrow, leaving a family devastated and a community grappling with grief.
When Magede returns to court later this month, prosecutors are expected to present evidence not only of negligence but also of the preventable nature of the attack. If convicted, he could face significant penalties, underscoring the legal and moral responsibilities that come with keeping animals—especially those capable of causing serious harm.
For now, Shelton’s death stands as a sombre warning: responsibility for pet ownership is not optional, and lapses in that duty can have deadly consequences.
