Online Reporter
Patrick Chitumba , [email protected]
A devastating fire incident in Gweru that claimed the lives of two minor children has led to the arrest of three individuals who allegedly started the blaze.
The arrests followed a police investigation which revealed that a dispute between the suspects and the children’s parents — reportedly over the slaughtering of chickens — may have been the motive behind the alleged crime.
Police are continuing to gather evidence to support charges of murder and ensure the suspects are brought to justice.
Midlands Provincial Police Spokesperson, Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko, confirmed the incident in a statement.
“Gweru police are investigating a tragic incident in which two children, Everjoy Mangena (13) and Natasha Kanyama (5), mysteriously lost their lives in a fire at Mahalape Compound, Watershed Farm, along Gwenhoro Road on 19 August, around 9pm.
“The victims were asleep in their hut when the fire broke out,” he said.
Inspector Mahoko said the children’s parents, Munyaradzi Chizhanga and his wife, who were sleeping in a separate hut, were alerted by the children’s cries for help around midnight.
“Upon rushing outside, the parents found the hut engulfed in flames. Despite efforts by them and their neighbours to break down the door and extinguish the fire with water, they were unsuccessful,” he said.
Tragically, the two children were burnt beyond recognition. A report was made to ZRP Gweru Rural, and the scene was attended to.
“The deceased were taken to Gweru Provincial Hospital Mortuary for a post-mortem examination,” he said.
Inspector Mahoko said police made a significant breakthrough in the case, with new leads pointing to arson as the cause of the fire.
“Following new evidence, police arrested three suspects — Chiedza Siziba, James Mativenga, and one identified only as Abel — on 15 September. It’s alleged that the suspects had a dispute with the children’s parents over the slaughtering of chickens, which may have led to the tragic incident.”
Inspector Mahoko emphasised that police are working to gather further evidence to support murder charges and ensure justice is served.
“The police appreciate the public’s assistance in providing valuable information that led to the arrests. The case will proceed according to the law, aiming to bring closure to this distressing matter,” he said.
