A 32-year-old man has been sentenced to an effective 26 months in prison after setting fire on his employer’s houses and property worth more than US$10 000 following a dispute over eating unripe oranges from the orchard.
In a statement, yesterday, the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) said the offender, who was employed as a domestic worker, resorted to violence after being reprimanded by his employer.
“The Mutare Magistrates’ Court has convicted a 32-year-old man and sentenced him to an effective 26 months’ imprisonment after he set fire to his employer’s houses and property,” the NPAZ said.
According to prosecutors, the incident occurred after the employer instructed the domestic worker to stop eating unripe oranges from her orchard, triggering an argument.
“Following the dispute, the offender became angry and set fire to a thatched kitchen hut. He then proceeded to a two-roomed house and deliberately set it ablaze.
To prevent anyone from extinguishing the fire, he armed himself with an axe and threatened to kill anyone who attempted to put out the flames,” the NPAZ said.
The authority said the fires destroyed the two structures together with food supplies, farming inputs and household goods, leaving the complainant with substantial losses.
“The fire completely destroyed the two buildings and valuable property, including 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 various household groceries. The total value of the damaged property was assessed at US$10 193,” the NPAZ said.
Following a full trial, the court found the offender guilty of malicious damage to property and imposed a 36-month prison sentence.
“The offender was sentenced to 36 months’ imprisonment, with 10 months suspended on condition that he pays back the full value of the damaged property to the complainant, leaving an effective 26-month prison term,” the prosecuting authority said.
The NPAZ said the sentence underscores the courts’ commitment to protecting citizens from criminal acts that destroy livelihoods and property.
“NPAZ will continue to ensure that offenders who destroy people’s property and livelihoods are held fully accountable. We remain committed to prosecuting criminal conduct that threatens the safety, security and welfare of communities,” the authority said.
The case serves as a warning against resorting to violence and destruction of property during disputes, with the prosecuting authority reiterating that offenders will face the full force of the law.
