Greencroft Widow Watches Lifetime Go Up In Flames After Midnight Horror
A quiet night of prayer turned into a nightmare for a 76-year-old Harare widow after a suspected robbery attempt allegedly ended with her Greencroft home being destroyed by fire.
Gogo Vaida Murahwa and her daughter, who lives with an intellectual disability, are now without a home after the blaze tore through the property during the early hours of May 13, 2026.
The elderly woman said she had woken up shortly after midnight when she noticed suspicious activity outside the house.
According to ZBC, the suspected intruders allegedly failed to force entry through the doors and windows because of security barricades installed at the property.
Speaking about the frightening ordeal, Gogo Murahwa said the group then allegedly moved onto the roof.
“Just after midnight, I woke up for my morning prayer. As I was praying, I heard some noises from outside. There were people trying to get inside the house, but they could not because of the burglar barricades on the windows and doors.”
She said moments later things took a terrifying turn.
“After failing to enter, they climbed on the roof and tore the solar and inverter cables. When we opened the room where we keep the battery and inverter, black smoke rushed out. That is when we realised the house was already on fire.”
“We Could Only Watch Everything Burn”
The pensioner said the flames spread rapidly through the house while the family stood helplessly outside.
Furniture, clothes, electrical gadgets and other valuables were destroyed in the inferno.
“We just watched the flames spread through every room. There was nothing we could save.”
Gogo Murahwa also claimed emergency services only arrived hours after the fire had already destroyed the property.
“The fire brigade only came around midday, long after everything had been destroyed.”
The widow said she now depends on donations from well-wishers after losing all her possessions in the blaze.
“Even the clothes I am wearing were given to me by other people. I lost absolutely everything.”
Widow Still Grieving Husband’s Death
The tragedy reportedly came less than a year after the death of her husband in August 2025.
Gogo Murahwa said she is also battling health complications while caring for her daughter.
“I stay with my daughter who has an intellectual disability, and I also have health problems. This has been very painful for us.”
She admitted rebuilding the destroyed house may be impossible.
“Who is going to help us rebuild? At my age, I honestly do not know where I will get the strength or resources.”
CCTV Footage Allegedly Captured Suspects
The incident has added to growing fears over robberies in Harare’s western suburbs.
Information contained in the original report stated that three suspected robbers were allegedly captured on CCTV footage, although no arrests had been confirmed at the time of publication.
Residents in several suburbs have recently raised concerns over night-time break-ins targeting homes with solar systems and electrical equipment.
For Gogo Murahwa, however, the emotional pain remains difficult to process as she tries to rebuild her life from scratch.
The post Harare Widow Watches Home Burn To Ashes After Suspected Midnight Robbery appeared first on iHarare News.
