A window of one of the burnt houses
Shumirai Zhou
MBERENGWA – Angry in-laws from Gaha in Mberengwa have allegedly destroyed crops and burnt down their ex father in-law’s house in a nasty divorce dispute.
Herbert Shumba of Madhume village in Mavorovondo area lost his house last week in an arson attack allegedly perpetrated by his son in-law who was angry with being dumped by his wife; Tarirai.
Midlands provincial police acting spokesperson Assistant Inspector Ethel Mukwende said she had not yet received the story but it is understood Tarirai had four children with her ex-husband but had had left him some years ago after he reportedly married another wife.
Sources also say her father accepted her back into his family even though her former husband’s family had not paid any lobola and helped her further her education to become a qualified school teacher.
The former in-laws, sources say, now want their wife and are doing all the things possible to be given her back.
“When Tarirai came back years ago, she had four children with the Nguluve family. His father took her back though the in-laws paid not even a penny. Her father upgraded her and sent her to school. Now she is a school teacher and they are doing all possible things to get her back,” said the source.
The Nguluve family, it is said, came for the first time and allegedly destroyed a maize field at night and threw the crops into a well.
On the second occasion, it is also said, they came and set fire on three buildings at the Shumba family homestead.
“On the first day, Shumba woke up early after hearing his granddaughter, Chiratidzo, shouting that one of the huts was on fire and he woke up. As they were busy putting out the fire, the garage which is a distance from the huts was also set on fire and a bedroom started burning,” another source said.
Shumba confirmed that his homestead was gutted by fire but could not deny or confirm that his ex in-laws were responsible.
“My house was set on fire twice it is very true. Honestly I never saw the people who did it; I just heard some of the people saying they saw people wearing masks. I don’t even suspect anyone or blame anyone as of now but people are just saying things,” he said.local
