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POLICE in Chipinge have arrested a 65-year-old man for allegedly setting on fire a neighbour’s 45 hectare gum tree plantation worth over $25 000.District police spokesman Assistant Inspector Kadzuraumera confirmed the incident which occurred on October 7 at Mabaure Village under Chief Mapungwana area.
“Police can confirm the arrest of Samuel Masibiya for deliberately setting on fire Simon Mhlanga’s plantation. Circumstances are that on 7 October at around 12 mid night in Masibiya was preparing his field.
He was burning organic materials which were left after harvesting.
“He started a fire at his farm which then went out of control.
It spread and destroyed the complainant’s plantation,” he said.
Ass Insp Kadzuraumera said Masibiya was helped by other villagers to extinguish the fire but it had already destroyed the plantantion.
“Police received a call from the complainant and attended the scene leading to the arrest of Masibiya.
The value of the destroyed gum trees is estimated at around US$21 450 and nothing was recovered. We urge villagers to shun using veld fires in land preparation,” he said.
Online Reporter