Bulawayo Man Arrested After Setting Love Rival On Fire Over Girlfriend
A Bulawayo man has been arrested after setting another man on fire during a dispute over his girlfriend.
The incident happened on August 23 at about 8pm at a plot in Warringham.
According to B-Metro, police identified the suspect as 22-year-old Mayibongwe Ngalonde of Dampier Road, Warringham.
The victim, a 21-year-old man from the same road, reportedly escaped an earlier confrontation before the situation turned violent.
Also Read: Vindictive Ex-Husband Sets Woman And Two Children On Fire For Denying His Advances
Jealousy Sparks Confrontation
According to police, the two men were among a group of neighbours who had gone to a local plot to help extinguish a fire.
However, Ngalonde confronted the complainant after accusing him of having an affair with his girlfriend.
Bulawayo deputy police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Thandekile Ndlovu said the suspect became aggressive during the confrontation.
Ngalonde threatened to kill the complainant and attempted to attack him with stones.
The complainant managed to flee the scene and later returned to his residence.
Petrol Used In Attack
The dispute escalated when Ngalonde followed the complainant to his home.
Police said the complainant was later sitting near a fireplace inside a kitchen hut when the suspect confronted him again.
Ngalonde is accused of producing a 500ml bottle containing petrol before pouring the flammable liquid over the complainant.
The victim reportedly caught fire moments later.
A 28-year-old workmate who was at the same address intervened and managed to put out the flames using water.
“The complainant caught fire and started burning. A male adult aged 28 years from the same address, who is his workmate, managed to extinguish the fire by pouring water on the complainant,” said Asst Insp Ndlovu.
The matter was subsequently reported to the police, resulting in Ngalonde’s arrest.
Police Urge Peaceful Dispute Resolution
Police have urged members of the public to avoid violence when dealing with relationship disputes and other disagreements.
Asst Insp Ndlovu encouraged people experiencing conflicts to involve trusted third parties instead of taking matters into their own hands.
“We urge members of the public to avoid the use of violence whenever there is a misunderstanding and instead engage third parties, including community leaders, pastors, relatives and the police, to assist them,” she said.
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