Man sets employer's property ablaze

A 32-year-old Mutare man has been sentenced to an effective 26 months in prison after setting fire to his employer's houses and property following an argument over unripe oranges.

In a statement, the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) said the incident occurred on June 27, 2026, at Chindoti Village under Chief Marange in Mutare.

The man, who was employed as a domestic worker, became angry after his 64-year-old employer ordered him to stop eating unripe oranges from her orchard.

"On the 27th of June 2026 at Chindoti Village, Chief Marange, the offender, who was employed as a domestic worker, became angry after his 64-year-old employer ordered him to stop eating unripe oranges from her orchard," the NPAZ said.

According to prosecutors, following the argument, the man deliberately set fire to a thatched kitchen hut before proceeding to a nearby two-roomed house, which he also set alight.

"Following the argument, the offender went on to set fire to a thatched kitchen hut. He then proceeded to a two-roomed house and lit it up again," the NPAZ said.

The authority said the man armed himself with an axe and threatened to kill anyone who attempted to extinguish the flames, preventing people from rescuing the property.

The fire destroyed both buildings and a range of household and agricultural goods valued at US$10,193.

Among the property destroyed were 16 bags of maize, five bags of groundnuts, two bags of round nuts, two bags of rapoko, four bags of fertiliser, six bags of cement and assorted household groceries.

The man was convicted of malicious damage to property and sentenced to 36 months' imprisonment.

Ten months of the sentence were suspended on condition that he compensates the complainant for the full value of the damaged property, leaving him with an effective prison term of 26 months.