Rita Odafe
Dispute Leads to Arson in Chinhoyi
In the tranquil town of Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe, a family feud has resulted in the destruction of both a house and a car.
The case garnered significant attention and has recently reached a conclusion at the local magistrate’s court.
21-year-old Knowledge Jani, a resident of Shackleton Mine, was sentenced to four years in prison, one of which was suspended, after being convicted of damaging property intentionally.
On April 22, 2024, a disagreement at his father’s residence escalated dramatically.
In an explosive moment, Jani accused his father and stepmother of witchcraft, blaming them for his ongoing health issues.
In a fit of rage, he vandalized his father’s Nissan Sunny by smashing its windows and damaging the vehicle’s body. He then siphoned gas from the car, using it to set the family home ablaze, followed by igniting the already vandalized car.
The fire resulted in extensive damage, estimated at $14,000. Firefighters were able to manage the situation, but not before considerable destruction occurred. Jani was apprehended at the scene after his father called for help.
The community, along with the family involved, awaited the court’s decision, which ultimately sentenced Jani to four years in prison, with the provision that he does not reoffend during the suspended year, leading to a total of three years of active imprisonment.
