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Gwanda Correspondent
IN fit of jealousy, a Gwanda man allegedly set on fire property belonging to his ex-girlfriend’s new lover demanding $25 he gave her while they were still together.Jealous Sibanda, 23, reportedly torched a room where his ex-lover Nokuthula Masuku, 20, and her new boyfriend Dominic Sithole live on Sunday night.

The inferno damaged household property that included a bed, a table, chairs and clothing.

A Chronicle news crew visited the house at Number 4937 Spitzkop North Extension in Gwanda Town where shocked residents had gathered.

Masuku narrated how Sibanda stormed the room and found them relaxed.

“He came here around 4PM on Sunday demanding the $25 he once gave me but I told him I no longer had the money as I had bought a suitcase and a bucket which he then took and went away,” she said.

“Later around 7PM while my boyfriend and I were relaxing in the house, we were shocked when someone started smashing windows with stones and bricks. We quickly escaped from the house because we feared for our lives.”

Masuku said the moment she spotted Sibanda, she alerted her boyfriend and they quickly rushed to report him to the police.

“On our return we found the property burnt. Important documents including birth certificates and identity cards were also burnt to ashes,” she said in tears.

“I don’t understand why he did this and I really don’t know what to do from here. He can’t stomach that I have moved on because we came to Gwanda together from Nkayi last year but we separated recently.”

Masuku alleged Sibanda threatened to kill her before telling Dominic to chase her away.

Sithole said, “Sibanda came here saying he wanted his wife and that he paid lobola for her”.

Neighbours said they were attracted by the loud noise of breaking windows only to realise the house was on fire.

Sibanda reportedly disappeared after committing the crime.

“This was my property that I had left under the custody of my nephew, now I don’t know where to start,” said Thabani Ncube, Sithole’s uncle.

Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson Inspector Philisani Ndebele could not be reached for comment.