News / National
Mum who burnt her children alive, critically ill
14 Jun 2014 at 09:19hrs | Views
THE Rusape woman who set tongues wagging by setting herself and two children ablaze, burning her daughter to death, is still critically ill in hospital.
Rusape District police spokeswoman, Sergeant Vimbai Nyateka, said Petronella Nyarugwe, who escaped the self inflicted arson with severe burns was still bed ridden at Harare Hospital together with her son Divine (9) who is nursing severe burns to the face, neck, chest, hands abdomen and legs.
Her husband, Gift Mamhunze, who was burnt while rescuing the two, has since been discharged from Rusape General Hospital.
"She is still in hospital together with the child," said Sgt Nyateka.
Sgt Nyateka said police were pressing murder and arson charges against Nyarugwe, who is recuperating under police guard.
"She will be taken to court once she is fit," added Sgt Nyateka.
The incident which occurred in Nezambe Village, under Chief Makoni, left relatives and villagers seething with anger and in a state of shock as they could not understand why Nyarugwe would kill and torture the two defenseless children in such a cruel manner.
The motive by Nyarugwe (24) was to settle a domestic score with her husband Gift, with whom she had quarreled over $30 for her medication. She had complained of stomach pains. Gift told her she would get the money the following day.
This irked Nyarugwe and she wrestled and seized about R2000 from him. Nyarugwe then rushed to Tsanzaguru Business Centre where she allegedly bought an unknown quantity of petrol and a box of matches. She later sprinkled the petrol in the house before setting it ablaze.
Nyarugwe also tried to ambush her husband and doused him with petrol before setting his clothes alight.
Mamhunze rushed into a nearby bush and stripped off his clothes.
Rusape District police spokeswoman, Sergeant Vimbai Nyateka, said Petronella Nyarugwe, who escaped the self inflicted arson with severe burns was still bed ridden at Harare Hospital together with her son Divine (9) who is nursing severe burns to the face, neck, chest, hands abdomen and legs.
Her husband, Gift Mamhunze, who was burnt while rescuing the two, has since been discharged from Rusape General Hospital.
"She is still in hospital together with the child," said Sgt Nyateka.
Sgt Nyateka said police were pressing murder and arson charges against Nyarugwe, who is recuperating under police guard.
"She will be taken to court once she is fit," added Sgt Nyateka.
The incident which occurred in Nezambe Village, under Chief Makoni, left relatives and villagers seething with anger and in a state of shock as they could not understand why Nyarugwe would kill and torture the two defenseless children in such a cruel manner.
The motive by Nyarugwe (24) was to settle a domestic score with her husband Gift, with whom she had quarreled over $30 for her medication. She had complained of stomach pains. Gift told her she would get the money the following day.
This irked Nyarugwe and she wrestled and seized about R2000 from him. Nyarugwe then rushed to Tsanzaguru Business Centre where she allegedly bought an unknown quantity of petrol and a box of matches. She later sprinkled the petrol in the house before setting it ablaze.
Nyarugwe also tried to ambush her husband and doused him with petrol before setting his clothes alight.
Mamhunze rushed into a nearby bush and stripped off his clothes.
Source - Manicapost
