Monday, June 6, 2026 -An 18-year-old woman has died after a fire allegedly set by
her co-wife engulfed a shop and bedroom where she and her husband were sleeping
in Mudzi, prompting a murder investigation by the Zimbabwe Republic Police.
In a statement posted on X, the police said the incident
occurred at Rwamba Business Centre in Mudzi and confirmed the arrest of the
suspect, identified as Elizaberth Ponji, the following day.
According to the police, the victim, Loveness Zinhu, was
Ponji's co-wife. “The ZRP confirms the arrest of Elizaberth Ponji on 02/07/26
in connection with a case of murder which occurred at Rwamba Business Centre,
Mudzi on 01/07/26 in which her co-wife, Loveness Zinhu (18) died,” the
statement read.
Police alleged that Ponji poured an unidentified substance
onto the floor before setting the shop and adjoining bedroom on fire while
Zinhu and her husband, Peter Mudzengerere, 30, were asleep inside. “The suspect
allegedly set ablaze a shop and a bedroom in which the victim and her husband,
Peter Mudzengerere (30), were sleeping in, after pouring an unknown substance
onto the floor,” the police said. Zinhu died in the incident, although the
police did not specify whether she died at the scene or later from her
injuries. Authorities also did not disclose the type of substance allegedly
used to start the fire.
Police said Mudzengerere managed to escape from the burning
building but collapsed shortly afterwards. “Peter Mudzengerere managed to
escape from the burning house and fell unconscious.” The police did not provide
an update on his condition. Investigations into the incident are ongoing.
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