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He was suspecting her of cheating on him with another man.

The wife, Mrs Patience Madhliwa, who was alone in the hut, however, managed to escape the suspected arson attempt with minor burns.

Police deputy officer commanding Zvishavane and Mberengwa Districts, Superintendent Robert Mugazambi, confirmed the incident yesterday, which occurred on New Year’s Eve.

He, however, said he was yet to get full details from the concerned station.

“We are yet to get full details about the matter.

“We will forward the details to our provincial spokesperson’s office and you can get hold of them tomorrow for comment,” he said.

Witnesses, however, told Chronicle that Madhliwa who has been long suspecting his second wife of having an extra marital affair with another man, ambushed her outside the yard and later tried to burn the bedroom hut she was sleeping in.

“On the day in question, Madhliwa spent the whole day with his second wife whom he suspected of cheating on him.

“He later bade her goodnight while indicating that he will spend New Year’s Eve with the senior wife,” said the witness.

The witnesses said Madhliwa, however, remained in a bushy area near the yard before he later went on to tie the bedroom       door with some wire from outside before setting the hut ablaze.

“Madhliwa who thought that the wife was with another man inside the bedroom hut then remained outside but his wife managed to break the door and escaped. She sustained minor burns and was treated and discharged at Masase Mission Hospital,” said the witness.

Efforts to get a comment from Madhliwa were fruitless.