Online Reporter
A BULAWAYO man has been arrested after allegedly setting fire to a man he suspected of having an affair with his girlfriend.
The incident occurred at a plot in Warringham on August 23, around 8pm.
Bulawayo deputy police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Thandekile Ndlovu said the 21-year-old complainant from Dampier Road in Warringham was with the accused, Mayibongwe Ngalonde (22), also of Dampier Road, alongside other neighbours when the incident took place.
The group had reportedly gone to a local plot to help extinguish a fire.
During the effort, Ngalonde accused the complainant of having a romantic relationship with his girlfriend.
“The accused person started accusing the complainant of sleeping with his girlfriend. He then threatened to kill him and tried to assault him with stones, but the complainant fled,” said Asst Insp Ndlovu.
An enraged Ngalonde, who had since bought 500ml of petrol, later found the complaint at home sitting beside a fireplace inside a kitchen hut.
He took the bottle containing the flammable liquid from his pocket and splashed it onto his rival.
“The complainant caught fire and started burning. A male adult aged 28 years from the same address, who is his workmate, managed to extinguish the fire by pouring water on the complainant,” she said.
A report was made to the authorities, leading to Ngalonde’s arrest.
Asst Insp Ndlovu urged the public to avoid resorting to violence when solving disputes and encouraged individuals to seek assistance from community leaders, pastors, relatives or the police. — Bulawayo Bureau
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