Rutendo Chirume
In a gruesome act of domestic violence, a 28 year-old man from Batanai village in Mwenezi under Chief Mazetse was arrested for attempting to burn his minor children following a misunderstanding with his wife.
Watipaishe Gumbo was on May 22 arrested for throwing his two daughters aged 3 and 6 in an open fire after which they sustained burns all over their bodies.
Masvingo provincial police spokesperson Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed the incident and urged people to stop solving disputes when they are drunk.
“People should try by all means to stop solving disputes when they are under the influence of alcohol and also they should find a third party who can help them solve disputes in order to avoid misunderstandings with each other,” said Dhewa.
Circumstances are that on May 22 at around 11pm Gumbo arrived home drunk and found his wife Moliphine Moyo (19) sleeping with their two daughters and started accusing her of having an extra marital affair which led to a misunderstanding.
The two started fighting and Gumbo took a machete and threatened to kill his wife who however managed to escape and went to her brother-in-law Ronias Gumbo (43)’s place but left the kids behind.
Gumbo allegedly started a fire and took the children and put them in the burning fire and would put them back if they try to escape.
Moliphine later came back with Ronias who managed to rescue the children who had already sustained burns all over the body.
The next day a report was made at Choverere police base leading to the arrest of the accused.
The children were taken to Mwenezi Hospital for treatment.
