adminThe police spokesperson for the province, Assistant Inspector Siphiwe Makonese, confirmed the incidents last week and said the possibility of murder could not be ruled out in both cases.
She said in one case, a mentally challenged woman who was left tied up in a hut by her husband at their homestead in Binga, was burnt beyond recognition when the hut caught fire on 7 June.
Asst Insp Makonese said in the second incident, a woman disappeared from a burning hut on 9 June and her body was later found floating naked in the Deka River in Hwange District.
“In Binga, Ms Gladys Ndebele (26) of Bazingili Hill in Siabuwa, was left in a kitchen hut by her husband, Mr Makheyi Sibanda (32). He had tied both her hands and legs with a rope,” said Asst Insp Makonese.
She said Ndebele had a history of mental illness and often ran away from home prompting her husband to always tie her up when he was leaving her alone.
“At about 11pm, a neighbour discovered that the kitchen hut was on fire. The neighbour alerted other villagers who rushed to the scene and tried to extinguish the fire,” she said.
The police spokesperson said the villagers battled with the fire in vain, until the roof collapsed and buried a screaming Ndebele.
“A report was made at Siabuwa Police Station. Ms Ndebele’s body was burnt beyond recognition and the charred remains have been taken to Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo for a postmortem,” she said.
Asst Insp Makonese said police were investigating the cause of the fire.
“Although no arrests have been made, both arson and murder cannot be ruled out at this stage,” said Asst Insp Makonese.
She said in Makuyu Village in Hwange district, Ms Josephine Dangiro (22), was sleeping in a hut at her father-in-law’s homestead, when the hut caught fire.
“At about 4am her father-in-law, Mr Rona Dube (58), was woken up after hearing dogs barking incessantly. He went out of his bedroom hut to investigate and found his daughter-in-law’s bedroom hut on fire,” she said.
Asst Insp Makonese Mr Dube alerted neighbours and they fought to put out the fire.
“They searched the hut and could not find Ms Dangiro. They waited until daylight to continue with the search,” said Asst Inspector Makonese.
She said the villagers discovered bloody foot prints leading to the Deka River and followed them.
“In the afternoon, they found Ms Dangiro’s body floating in the river. She was naked and had burn marks,” she said.
Asst Insp Makonese said the body was also taken to Mpilo Central Hospital, while police investigations continued.
She urged members of the public who had mentally challenged relatives to ensure that they were sent to mental institutions, where they could be treated.
Asst Insp Makonese said it was not proper for people to treat their relatives like animals.
She urged members of the public who had information about how the fires might have started to contact their nearest police station.
“In Matabeleland North, we enjoy good working relations with the people, which has helped us to solve many crimes in the past. We encourage them to continue building on this relationship by helping us with information in these cases,” said Asst Insp Makonese.
The police spokesperson said those who had information but wished to keep their identities secret, could send it to the police through suggestion boxes or call the Matabeleland North Press and Public Relations number (0281) 32739.
Online Reporter