BATTERED TRUCKS AND BURNT HUTS
A ZIMBABWEAN businessman accused of setting fire to three traditional huts in Mogonono lands after a heated fallout with residents will soon discover if he has a case to answer.
In a matter that dates back to 27th March, 2019, 37-year-old Tennyson Ngwenya’s fiery fury was allegedly sparked by angry villagers bearing a grievance of their own.
Convinced Ngwenya was mining sand from the river illegally, fed-up residents reportedly smashed his truck with rocks, causing considerable damage to the vehicle.
The suspected arsonist is said to have reacted by torching Kelemogile Batsietsi’s before also setting two huts belonging to Goitsemodimo Motsewabeng alight.
In the ongoing trial before Molepolole Magistrates’ Court, Ngwenya’s cousin, 26-year-old Bruce Ngwenya, turned state witness against him.
Giving evidence against his relative, Bruce told court he used to be employed by Ngwenya as a driver.
“One night after loading the truck with three others, we saw an angry mob coming towards us. They were in possession of logs, as I ran away I heard some breaking the truck windows. After sometime, when I went to check the truck, I found that the tyres were destroyed,” testified Bruce.
According to the younger Ngwenya, he immediately called his cousin, who came with replacement tyres.
Bruce further said that at around 4am, more people turned up at Metsimotlhabe River to collect sand; their trucks received similar treatment from the irate villagers.
For his part, Investigating Officer, Thapelo Seboni, revealed the fires had caused around P39,000 worth of damage in total.
The Detective Constable told court he arrested Ngwenya on 19th April, 2019 in Mogoditshane but a search of his home did not turn up any evidence linking him to the crime.
“We took him for interview at our office and he denied the allegations. My investigations led me to Mogoditshane where I was able to get information from a reliable source. The result was that the accused was the one who set fire to the houses. Later, the accused voluntarily led me to the scene of the crime in the presence of two independent witnesses,” stated Seboni, stressing Ngwenya then admitted burning the houses in revenge for his battered truck.
Currently out on bail, Ngwenya is due back in court on 29th July, where he will learn if the case will be tried or not.