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Gwanda Correspondent
A GWANDA man ran amok and set ablaze his ex-girlfriend’s property worth $3 259 after she dumped him for another man. The court heard that Clement Hove (27) could not stomach that his ex-girlfriend Ntombiyokusa Moyo (26) had fallen in love with another man.It is said that Hove of Chemimwe Secondary School in Mberengwa was incensed by the fact that he had spent a lot of money on her.
Gwanda magistrate Sheila Nazombe on Friday convicted Hove of malicious damage to property and sentenced him to 24 months in prison.
Twelve months were suspended on condition that Hove paid Moyo compensation of $3 259 through the Gwanda Clerk of Court.
Hove was found not guilty and acquitted on the charge of unlawful entry as the magistrate said the State failed to prove that he forcibly entered Moyo’s house.
In his defence, Hove told the court that he had lost a lot of money while pampering his girlfriend.
“Your worship, I and Moyo have been in a relationship for nine months and I spent lots of money on her to buy whatever she wanted.
“I set her property ablaze when she told me she now has someone else in her life. This really pained me because I have been financially taking care of her every need,” he said.
Hove said he regretted his mistake saying he acted under the influence of alcohol.
“I was still in love with her, but since she says it’s over between us, I have no choice but to accept it,” he told the court.
The magistrate drew laughter from the gallery when she said Hove had shown maturity by accepting to be dumped and maybe Moyo might change her mind.
Prosecuting, Jefta Nyikadzinashe told the court how Hove went to house number 3152 Spitzkop North Extension in Gwanda after a misunderstanding and set alight Moyo’s property.
The prosecutor said while in the house the two former lovebirds resumed their argument and Hove tried to assault Moyo, but she managed to escape leaving him inside the house.
In a fit of rage, Hove deliberately set her property on fire.
The fire spread and damaged the roof of the house and other property including blankets and a bed.
An undisclosed amount of cash was also reportedly burnt.
Online Reporter