An alleged abusive Mutare man who could not fathom his estranged wife’s decision to divorce him did the unthinkable when he petrol-bombed his in-laws’ residence in a bid to punish his wife who had retreated to her parents following the fallout.
The incident, which shocked residents of Dangamvura high-density suburb, occurred on Tuesday night, a day before Victor Magorokosho (35) was due to appear at the Mutare Civil Courts to hear a protection order application his estranged wife, Roselyn Muhonde, had filed against him citing incessant physical abuse.
Magorokosho, who is admitted at Mutare Provincial Hospital under police guard, is nursing wounds he sustained in the ravaging flames. He is facing arson and attempted murder charges. Household property worth more than $2 000 was destroyed in the inferno.
About four members of the Muhonde family who were sleeping in the house when Magorokosho struck escaped death by a whisker after they found their exit through a back door. The fire could have destroyed the house, but neighbours reacted quickly and put it out using water buckets.
Family members said Roselyn could not continue with the abusive relationship and decided to end the marriage, subsequently leaving her matrimonial house in Chikanga Phase 2 to stay with them in Dangamvura. When The Manica Post arrived at the scene, the Muhonde family and neighbours were at a loss for words to explain the gory events.
A machete and a plastic container with Rogor poison were also found at the scene.
“He was also burnt in the raging flames as some of the petrol dripped down his clothes. He was determined to kill and did not want us to come out of the house alive. Imagine there were children in the house who could have been choked to death by the smoke.
“I am also struggling to breathe. I am feeling some pain in my chest. We had welcomed Roselyn back home because she had endured an abusive relationship for too long. We did not know that he (Victor) had sinister intentions. We are lucky to have survived.
“Our maid told us a few hours before the incident that she saw Victor wandering about the yard. She never suspected anything,” said Roselyn’s sister who refused to be named.
A neighbour said they woke up to wild screams: “God intervened. They could have died. We acted fast. Victor ran away after realising that things were not going according to plan. We thank God that they are safe.”
Manicaland provincial police spokesman Inspector Enock Chishiri said they were investigating a case of arson and attempted murder.
“Their marriage was on the rocks and Roselyn decided to leave their matrimonial house on Tuesday, but Magorokosho decided to follow his wife armed with a machete, knife and some unknown quantities of petrol as well as a pesticide. He destroyed the French door using a machete. He poured some petrol on the pieces of clothes he had and threw them in the dining room.
“Four people who were in the house screamed and stormed out of the room. He tried to set ablaze other rooms but failed as neighbours came to the rescue. He escaped, but sustained injuries on his stomach and chest. His condition is stable and he is admitted at Mutare Provincial Hospital under police guard. Property worth $2 252 dollars was destroyed.” Manica Post