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Mpumelelo Nyoni Court Reporter
TWO minors were badly burnt and hospitalised after their father allegedly locked them in a hut and set it ablaze following a dispute with his wife over used condoms.The two girls aged seven and three years were taken to Zvishavane hospital, but one of them had to be transferred to Mpilo Central Hospital due to the severity of the burns.

Lovemore Shoko of Chisungo Village in Mplawani, Fort Rixon appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Sibongile Msipa yesterday facing two counts of attempted murder.

He was remanded in custody to August 14 after he pleaded not guilty to the charges, claiming he was not there when the incident occurred.

Shoko’s wife, Rumbidzai Madhuku reportedly discovered the used condoms in their bedroom hut and accused him of having an affair with a neighbour’s wife.

Prosecuting, Dennmore Kasenza told the court that Madhuku called a meeting with Shoko’s parents after finding out about the alleged illicit affair.

“On July 13 Rumbidzai Madhuku found used condoms in their bedroom hut. She then learnt that Shoko had been having an affair with a neighbour’s wife,” said Kasenza.

The prosecutor said she called Shoko’s parents to reprimand him and this apparently did not go down well with him.

In a fit of rage, Shoko allegedly locked his  two daughters, Vision, 7 and Tambudzai, 3, in a thatched hut and set it on fire before fleeing from the scene.

“While Madhuku escorted Shoko’s parents back to their homestead, Shoko used the opportunity to lock the children in the hut and lit it. A passerby rescued the children who were taken to Zvishavane Hospital,” said Kasenza.