adminA MBERENGWA man was left homeless after his four huts were torched by his friend following a misunderstanding over $33.
Ashley Lubombo of Mataga area in Mberengwa is now living in the open after his friend Edmore Zhou from the same area torched his huts in a dispute over money which he borrowed in February.
The incident occurred on Tuesday last week at around 12 midday when Zhou had a misunderstanding with Lubombo whom he accused of failing to pay back his money.
Following the misunderstanding, Zhou set Lubombo’s four huts on fire destroying property worth over $3 000 before attempting to burn down his vegetable garden.
Zhou was on Friday last week arraigned before Mberengwa magistrate, Mr Christopher Maturure facing a charge of arson.
He was remanded out of custody to 30 October on $50 bail. For the State, Ms Wadzanai Shayanowako alleged that on 22 October this year, Zhou set his neighbour’s houses on fire following a misunderstanding.
Ms Shayanowako told the court that Lubombo borrowed money from Zhou sometime this year on a date unknown to the prosecutor but failed to pay him back. The court heard that Zhou made several attempts to recover his money from Lubombo but to no avail.
Ms Shayanowako said on the said date and time, Zhou seized an opportunity when Lubombo and his family left their homestead to visit a relative in the same village and he set four huts on fire. Zhou went on to set Lubombo’s garden on fire but fellow villagers managed to put out the fire before it destroyed the plants. The matter was taken to police leading to Zhou’s arrest.
Online Reporter
Bongani Ndlovu