By Bright Zhou
A Bikita man who resides at Nyika Growth Point appeared before Masvingo Magistrate Bishard Chineka on March 7, 2024 on charges of malicious damage to property after he burnt his ex-mother-in law’s house in a bid to get back wife.
Chineka remanded the accused person in custody awaiting continuation of trial on March 14, 2024.
The state heard that in the month of November 2023, Timoty Chinaka who is ex-husband to the complainant Sekai Mudzokora’s (49) daughter went to her place of residence looking for his estranged wife.
Chinaka, who has a child with his ex-wife had remarried after being divorced, went to the complainant’s home and demanded that she wanted his wife back.
It is alleged that Chinaka went to Mudzokora’s homestead and was told that his wife did not return home, after which he threatened to take unspecified action if Mudzokora failed to bring her daughter home.
On December 27, 2023 Chinaka visited Mudzokora’s homestead again and accused the complainant of hiding her daughter and Mudzokora reported the matter to the police as Chinaka had previously threatened to burn her house.
During the night of the same day at around 2130 hours Chinaka returned to Mudzokora’s homestead holding a torch.
Upon his arrival Mudzokora and her daughter left the homestead and sought refuge at a nearby mountain and after a while Mudzokora saw her house on fire, which also reduced the property inside to ashes.
Chinaka then disappeared into darkness and at around 2200 hours Mudzokora and her daughter left the mountain sought refuge for the night at another homestead.
The following day Mudzokora reported the matter to the police and Chinaka was arrested.
Innocent Mudzingwa prosecuted.
