The ManicaPost
Samantha Zengeni Post Correspondent
A CHIPINGE village head was left homeless after his homestead was torched by an aggrieved subject who accused him of threatening to bewitch and evict him from the village.
This came to light during the appearance of Joseph Kuwayani (43), of Mutowe Village, under Chief Musikavanhu, before Chipinge magistrate Mr Joshua Nembaware on charges of malicious damage to property. Property worth $5 000 was destroyed in the fire.
Kawayani was convicted on his own plea of guilty and sentenced to 20 months in jail.
During mitigation, Kuwayani showed contrition saying his actions were prompted by anger after the village head had threatened to bewitch and evict him from the village.
“I am sorry for my actions. I was angry after the village head threatened to bewitch and evict me from the village. I am pleading for a lenient sentence,” he pleaded.
After slapping him with 20 months in jail, Mr Nembaware then suspended five months on usual conditions for five years.
Another five months was suspended on condition that he compensates Garwi $5 000 on or before February 28, 2020.
Ms Shamiso Ncube prosecuted.
She told the court that on October 13, Kuwayani was drinking beer at a business centre in Chipinge when he overheard Edgar Garwi (72) bragging that he was going to chase him away from the village.
This did not please him.
He left the watering hole and passed through Gift Ngirandi’s homestead, where he asked for a box of matches.
He did not divulge his ill intentions.
Kuwayani then proceeded to Garwi’s homestead and torched two thatched huts.
He tried to escape from the scene, but was positively identified by one of the villagers who had reacted to the inferno.
