Eight years’ jail for jealous woman who set fire to hut

The Rhodesia Herald, 

February 15, 1969

A JEALOUS wife who set fire to a hut belonging to a woman she suspected of being her husband’s mistress was yesterday convicted at the High Court, Salisbury, of the murder of three children who were burnt to death in the blaze on September 2 last year.

Sentencing Anna Chairani, aged about 33, to eight years’ imprisonment, Mr Justice Macaulay said there were extenuating circumstances, which to some degree lessened the moral guilt of the accused.

Of Chairani’s belief that her husband was having an affair with another woman, Stella, he said “Jealousy is often based on insufficient grounds, but it is nevertheless a very real emotion.”

Chairani, of the Road Council compound, Concession, had pleaded not guilty to murdering three African boys, Shame (15), Crispen (7) and Robert (5), when she set fire to Stella’s bedroom hut. The two younger children were Stella’s sons.

Chairani said she thought the hut was empty on the night of the fire, and simply wanted to burn Stella’s clothes.

The court found that Chairani did not really believe that the whole family would be sleeping in another hut that night. 

Her attitude when she started the fire was indifference about whether or not the bedroom hut was occupied. She had acted recklessly, disregarding the fact that her action might lead to someone’s death.

Chairani had, however, genuinely believed that Stella was alienating her husband’s affections, and had also been drinking before she started the fire, said the judge.

“Your actions have led to the death of three innocent children, and I take into account that you have shown some remorse for this,” he told Chairani.

She was granted leave to appeal.

LESSONS FOR TODAY  

 Jealousy has always been a motivation for crime, sometimes a deadly one. 

 Feelings of fear, envy and frustration are used as excuses when people commit some of the most serious offences heard in court.

 A defence in the “heat of passion” or “sudden quarrel” defence can reduce a murder charge to a voluntary manslaughter charge.

 It is important to think before one acts, especially in instances where one does not have sufficient evidence. In most cases decisions made in the spur of the moment can lead to disastrous consequences.

 It is also important to follow proper channels to resolve issues to avoid any misunderstandings.