News / National
Man douses wife's 'lover' with petrol, sets him ablaze
06 Jun 2011 at 13:11hrs | Views
A HARARE man who allegedly poured five litres of petrol on his wife's suspected boyfriend before setting him ablaze at a shopping centre yesterday appeared in court charged with attempted murder.
Samuel Machete (31) reportedly took a brick and struck the complainant (name not supplied) on the back of the head after accusing him of having an affair with his wife.
He later set him ablaze in full view of bewildered onlookers.
Machete was not asked to plead to the charge when he appeared before magistrate Mr Don Ndirowei. He was granted US$100 bail with the consent of the Attorney General's Office.
Machete is expected to be back in court on June 10 for routine remand.
Appearing for the State Ms Svodai Kadivirire alleged that on Sunday, Machete who lives in Greendale went to Athlone Shopping Centre following a tip off that his wife's alleged boyfriend had been seen there.
Machete took five litres of petrol and matches to the shopping centre where he bumped into the suspected rival suitor.
It is alleged Machete confronted him over the alleged affair, and upon sensing danger, the "boyfriend" took to his heels. Machete, the State says, picked a concrete brick and hit the fleeing man on the back of the head sending him sprawling to the ground as Machete closed in.
Machete poured the petrol all over his rival's body before setting the helpless man ablaze, it is alleged.
It is the State's case that Machete fled from the scene, leaving the burning man crying for help.
It is further alleged that onlookers managed to extinguish the fire though the complainant had already sustained severe burns all over the body. He was rushed to hospital and Machete was later arrested.
Samuel Machete (31) reportedly took a brick and struck the complainant (name not supplied) on the back of the head after accusing him of having an affair with his wife.
He later set him ablaze in full view of bewildered onlookers.
Machete was not asked to plead to the charge when he appeared before magistrate Mr Don Ndirowei. He was granted US$100 bail with the consent of the Attorney General's Office.
Machete is expected to be back in court on June 10 for routine remand.
Appearing for the State Ms Svodai Kadivirire alleged that on Sunday, Machete who lives in Greendale went to Athlone Shopping Centre following a tip off that his wife's alleged boyfriend had been seen there.
Machete took five litres of petrol and matches to the shopping centre where he bumped into the suspected rival suitor.
It is alleged Machete confronted him over the alleged affair, and upon sensing danger, the "boyfriend" took to his heels. Machete, the State says, picked a concrete brick and hit the fleeing man on the back of the head sending him sprawling to the ground as Machete closed in.
Machete poured the petrol all over his rival's body before setting the helpless man ablaze, it is alleged.
It is the State's case that Machete fled from the scene, leaving the burning man crying for help.
It is further alleged that onlookers managed to extinguish the fire though the complainant had already sustained severe burns all over the body. He was rushed to hospital and Machete was later arrested.
Source - Court
