Nkayi man burns family hut after dispute with mother over thatching grass

A man from Mbunde Village in Nkayi District under Chief Sikhobokhobo in Matabeleland North province burnt a family hut after a dispute with his mother over grass for thatching.

The man, whose name is yet to be established, is in his mid-20s, while the mother is said to be over 65 years old.

The two had cut grass at the family field for selling.

Nkayi District Development Coordinator, Ms Matilda Mlotshwa, confirmed the incident and said the hut contained property, food, and national documents, among other things.

“The two first cut 80 bundles and shared the bundles equally among themselves. The man sold his share for US$80. He later went back and cut more after getting a buyer. The mother insisted that they should share the bundles, but he refused, resulting in a dispute,” she said.

Ms Mlotshwa said the man, who is said to be a heavy consumer of alcohol, then told his mother that he was going to burn the homestead, but she took it lightly.

She said the man went to his aunt and told her that he was going to burn the homestead following the dispute, and the aunt phoned the mother, who again took the threats lightly.

“The man went to the homestead and burnt the hut, and the mother saw smoke billowing. She ran and called neighbours, but they could not salvage anything in the hut. This has unfortunately left the family in need,” she said.

After burning the hut, the man reportedly vanished.