Bright Zhou
A 34 year-old man from Zengeya village under chief Nyajena in Masvingo recently appeared at Masvingo magistrates court for reducing his in-laws’ four houses to ashes accusing the latter of marrying his wife to another man.
The arsonist, Elias Mubaiwa (34) appeared before Masvingo magistrate Elizabeth Hanzie on December 5, 2023 charged with malicious damage to property of his in-law Faris Tipedze (55).
Hanzie remanded Mubaiwa in custody waiting for continuation of trial on December 13, 2023.
The state heard that on July 20, 2023 Elias Mubaiwa (34) went to Tipedze’s homestead armed with an axe and started shouting at Tipedze accusing him of allowing her daughter (his wife) marry another man after she had asked him to visit her parents.
Mubaiwa allegedly took some thatching grass from the kitchen hut and used matches to light all four grass thatched houses destroying all property inside.
After committing the crime, Mubaiwa then disappeared into thin air leaving the complainant shouting for help.
This prompted neighbours to intervene, tried to put out the fire using water and tree branches but to no avail.
The following day Tipedze reported the matter to Masvingo Central police station prompting police to launch a manhunt for Mubaiwa who was at large.
Ancious Chamisa prosecuted.
