Man torches mother’s hut over supper

The incident, which left the community of Emganwini area, Sikende in Tsholotsho shocked saw property worth hundreds of dollars destroyed in the fire.
Costen Ncube (28) was alone at his home as his wife had been admitted to hospital. He went to his mother’s home and demanded food.
All hell broke loose when his mother Mrs Sithabile Ncube, served him isitshwala and choumolia. He complained that the meal was inadequate and worse still she should have given him meat instead of vegetables.
A misunderstanding arose between Ncube and his mother leading to him setting the bedroom hut on fire.
The property that was destroyed included a bed, two chairs, 10 plastic containers, a suitcase full of clothes and kitchen utensils.
Ncube was arraigned before Tsholotsho resident magistrate Mr Toindepi Zhou to answer to a charge of causing malicious damage to property yesterday.
He was convicted on his own plea and was sentenced to 24 months in prison.
However, Ncube will serve an effective 12 months after the magistrate suspended six months on condition of good behaviour and another six months were suspended on condition he restitutes his mother the sum of $250 by 31 January, being the value of the property that was lost.
Ncube told the court he could not look after himself in the absence of his expecting wife who had gone to deliver and had to demand food from his mother.
Mr Fritz Madida prosecuted.