Zanu-PF official loses property in inferno

PROPERTY worth $20 000 was destroyed when a gazebo and outbuilding belonging to Zanu-PF Manicaland vice-chairman Joseph Mujati was burnt to ashes at his Nyazura home in a yet-to-be-explained fire.

The incident took place just before midnight on Monday.

Mujati said the fire had spread to the main house, but luckily, it was quickly extinguished.

He downplayed reports of an arson attack.

Mujati, however, said issues of houses being razed down by suspicious fires were common in political life.

"I am a politician and things like this are common in the industry. The temperatures are high and it's the fire season. The truth is I don't know (the cause) and that is why I have made a police report," he said.

"I am leaving the police station, they have just referred me to Nyazura and we will give a Nyazura reference number, but we are not accusing anyone."

Manicaland police spokesperson Tavhiringwa Kakohwa was not available for comment.

Early this year, Zanu-PF national youth leader Kudzanayi Chipanga reportedly lost property worth about
$15 000 when his house in Headlands went up in smoke, amid speculation of a politically-related arson attack.

The incident happened at his Workfield Farm in Headlands.