Zvimba Based Soldier Petrol Bombs Wife After Stealing From Her Employer

A ZIMBABWE National Army (ZNA) soldier who petrol bombed his wife after stealing from her employer has been slapped with a 7-year jail term.

Tapiwa Shonhiwa, 28, stationed at Central Ammunition Depot in Zvimba was charged with theft and attempted murder when he appeared before a Harare magistrate this week.

He was found guilty of both charges and sentenced to 18 months imprisonment for theft and 6 years for attempted murder.

Shonhiwa will serve three years effectively after magistrate Noel Mupeiwa suspended the rest of the sentence on conditions.

Prosecutors said on August 1, and at around 1600hrs, Shonhiwa’s wife, Pretty Langton, was at her workplace in the company of her husband’s workmate, Calleen Gotora.

Langton worked as a cashier at a liquor shop.

Court heard that Shonhiwa later stole a crate of Black Label quarts but was spotted by Gotora.

He was intercepted while trying to get away with the beer through the back door but threatened to commit suicide before stealing US$840 from the shop.

Shonhiwa later went home and demanded his uniform from his wife.

Langton refused to open the door, demanding the $840 Shonhiwa had stolen from the shop first.

The court heard Shonhiwa pretended that he had the money but his wife refused to open the door.

He threatened to throw a petrol bomb but his wife still refused to open the door. After a while Shonhiwa threw the bomb into his wife’s bedroom and it caught fire.

Neighbours however, managed to put blaze out and Langton went to Zimbiru Police Base to report the matter.

Property worthy US$3,600 was destroyed by the fire and Shonhiwa fled to Harare after the incident.

Two days later, he however started communicating with his wife, urging her to steal US$2, 000 from her employer.

He said he wanted to flee to South Africa with her.

Langton informed the police leading to Shonhiwa’s arrest. Total prejudice amounted to US$4,551 and nothing was recovered. source-newzimbabwe

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