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Nqobile Tshili Chronicle Reporter—
A 12-Year-old girl from Queens Park West suburb in Bulawayo allegedly burnt down three houses and was caught trying to set a fourth ablaze, all in the space of two weeks. A week ago she burnt down a house and a cottage where her family used to live. On Friday, the Fire Brigade had to be called after she razed another cottage in the suburb.
The girl (name withheld) was caught by the owner of one of the houses as she was trying to set it alight.
Nkosilathi Sibanda, who caught her, said the girl burnt down his cottage days after her family moved in.
“They used to stay just a few houses away from here and their home burnt down a week ago. Two weeks ago on Thursday their cottage burnt down, the following Tuesday their main house also burnt down,” he said.
Sibanda said he was relaxing at home with his family when they smelt something burning.
He said they were shocked to find the child going through the rooms setting fire to the curtains.
“We started smelling smoke and I decided to check what was causing the smell. As I was about to get out of the kitchen I saw a burning cloth which I quickly threw outside,” he said.
Sibanda said the girl came rushing out of the house shouting that she did not start the fire which burnt the cottage, although no one had accused her of doing that.
“When we checked, the place was in flames,” said Sibanda.
He said he called neighbours who assisted in retrieving some property.
Sibanda said the girl also tried to set his house on fire by burning the curtains.
“The curtains for the lounge and kitchen were all on fire and she was found trying to set fire to one of the bedrooms,” said Sibanda.
The girl’s father declined to comment.
The property which was destroyed includes sofas, television set, a bed and clothes.
Chronicle also visited the deserted house which she is said to have burnt down first.
Neighbours told Chronicle they suspected the girl was possessed.
“Her family should really seek prayers or traditional intervention because it is not normal for a child her age to enjoy setting fire to property. I wonder how her parents will pay for all the damage she has caused,” said one of the neighbours.
Bulawayo chief fire officer, Richard Peterson who was also at the scene on Friday, said it was worrying that a girl of her age could involve herself in such things.
“This may lead us to suggest that the person who ignited this cottage could be the one who burnt down a house and a cottage just a few houses away,” he said.
Peterson urged parents and guardians not to let their children play with matches, saying some do not understand the consequences of their actions.
Online Reporter