MARTIN MAWAYA
GWERU-Grief and anger have gripped a Gweru farming community after two young sisters were burnt beyond recognition in a suspected revenge attack believed to have stemmed from a family feud over chickens.
The incident happened recently at Mahalape Compound, Watershed Farm, where 13-year-old Everjoy Mangena and her five-year-old sister, Natasha Kanyama, were trapped in their bedroom hut when it went up in flames around 9pm.
Their parents, Munyaradzi Chizhanga and his wife, were sleeping in another hut when they were awakened by the children’s desperate screams just after midnight.
Neighbours rushed to help but were forced back by the raging fire despite frantic efforts to douse the inferno with buckets of water.
By the time the flames died down, the sisters’ bodies had been burnt beyond recognition.
The Midlands police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the incident, saying three suspects had since been arrested.
“Initially, the matter was recorded as sudden death by fire, but fresh evidence has led to the arrest of three suspects who are now facing possible murder charges,” Mahoko said.
The suspects, Chiedza Siziba, James Mativenga and a man identified only as Abel were arrested in Sherwood, Kwekwe, on September 15 after allegedly fleeing the compound soon after the blaze.
Preliminary investigations suggest the suspects set the hut on fire following a quarrel with the children’s parents over the slaughtering of chickens.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police thanks members of the public for assisting with positive information. Justice will take its course and bring closure to this matter,” Insp Mahoko added.
Villagers in Mahalape said they were still traumatised by the incident.
“It is cruel beyond words. Two innocent children lost their lives because of an adult quarrel,” one resident told The Midweek Watch.
The girls’ bodies are being held at Gweru Provincial Hospital Mortuary awaiting post-mortem.
