Rival gang petrol-bombs house

Property worth thousands of dollars was reduced to ashes yesterday when a house in Dzivaresekwa Extension, Harare, was allegedly petrol-bombed in a suspected case of arson by members of a rival housing co-operative.

The house belongs to Mr Simba Moyo who is the chairman of a splinter group from Mbuya Nehanda Housing Co-operative. His wife Gladys, who was present when the incident occurred, said she suspected that members of the other management committee of the co-operative were behind the attack.

"I was awakened by the sound of footsteps outside the house at around 2am and at that moment something flammable which we suspect to be a petrol bomb was thrown through the window, starting the fire," she said. "I rushed and awoke my children who broke the door and we escaped while calling for help from our neighbours who tried to put out the fire.

"Later, the fire brigade arrived and put out the fire, but it was too late to save our property." People in the neighbourhood said there was bad blood among members of the housing co-operative over financial management which could have resulted in the suspected case of arson.

Police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi said they were looking into the suspected case of arson. "I can confirm that we received a report on the house in Dzivaresekwa Extension which was allegedly petrol bombed and investigations are in progress," he said.