Online Reporter
Online Reporter
A popular office stationery and IT consultancy shop located in the central business district of Mutare was completely destroyed by fire late last night, leaving the business in ruins and raising concerns over the cause of the blaze.
The shop, which has served the local community for several years, belongs to Movement for Democratic Change activist Jabulani Garikayi.
According to a fire brigade official who spoke to the press, the fire consumed the entire premises.
“Everything was burnt to the ground. We arrived on the scene to find the building fully engulfed in flames, and despite our efforts, the structure was a total loss. Our team has launched an investigation, and preliminary findings suggest that the fire may have been started by a petrol bomb,” the official revealed.
The circumstances surrounding the fire remain unclear, and authorities are treating the incident with urgency given its possible politically motivated nature. The fire broke out late in the evening, and local residents reported hearing an explosion before the flames rapidly spread through the shop.
Efforts to get a comment from Garikayi proved fruitless as sources confirmed he was currently in police custody. The reasons for his detention have not been disclosed, and police have remained tight-lipped about ongoing investigations.
When a news crew visited the site this morning, the area was heavily secured and cordoned off by police officers who were conducting forensic investigations. Nearby business owners expressed shock and concern, describing the incident as “disturbing” and calling for a swift and transparent investigation.
The loss of the shop not only affects Garikayi but also disrupts the supply of essential office and IT services to many in the central business district, potentially impacting local businesses that rely on these services for their daily operations.
As investigations continue, the community awaits further updates from law enforcement on the cause of the fire and any possible suspects involved.
