Man burns in-laws' 4 huts over infidelity

A 30-year-old Mberengwa man is reportedly on the run after allegedly setting four huts at his in-laws' homestead on fire following a domestic dispute over his wife's alleged infidelity.

Midlands provincial police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the incident, saying police were investigating a case of malicious damage to property.

"Zimbabwe Republic Police in Midlands Province is investigating a case of malicious damage to property where four huts were set ablaze on August 30 at Mutavisi Village under Chief Chingoma in Mberengwa," Mahoko said.

The suspect, Absolom Zhou of Ngwenyama Village under Chief Mketi in Mberengwa, allegedly had a dispute with his 28-year-old wife, Desollete Dube, over infidelity.

According to Mahoko, Zhou packed his wife's clothes and went to her parents' homestead, where he met Esther Shoko, 45.

He allegedly told Shoko that he would return later to destroy property before leaving the homestead.

Zhou is then suspected to have returned when no one was present and set four huts on fire.

Shoko reportedly noticed smoke from a distance and rushed to the homestead with other relatives. They found the four huts already engulfed in flames and attempted to put out the fire, but their efforts were unsuccessful.

"Household property was destroyed in the inferno," Mahoko said.

Zhou remains at large, and police have appealed to anyone with information that could assist in locating him to report to the nearest police station.