A Mwenenzi man was arrested after he allegedly threw his two minor children into an open fire following a misunderstanding with his wife.
Watipaishe Gumbo (28), from Batanai village in Mwenezi under Chief Mazetse, was arrested on 22 May for throwing his two daughters aged 3 and 6 in an open fire.
The two minors sustained burns all over their bodies.
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson in Masvingo Province Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed the incident. He said:
People should try by all means to stop solving disputes when they are under the influence of alcohol and also they should find a third party who can help them solve disputes in order to avoid misunderstandings with each other.
On 22 May this year, at around 11 pm, Gumbo arrived home drunk and found his wife Moliphine Moyo (19) sleeping with their two daughters.
He allegedly accused Moyo of having an extramarital affair which led to a misunderstanding and a physical fight.
Gumbo took a machete and threatened to kill his wife who however managed to escape and fled to her brother-in-law Ronias Gumbo (43)’s home, leaving the children behind.
Gumbo allegedly started a fire and then took the children and put them in the burning fire.
The children would jump out of the fire but Gumbo would allegedly catch and throw them back into the fire.
Moyo later returned in the company of his brother who managed to rescue the children who had already sustained burns all over the body.
The following day, a report was made at Choverere police base leading to the arrest of the accused.
The children were taken to Neshuro District Hospital and their conditions were said to be critical.