Bulilima man burns grandparents, niece over late father’s estate

A 24-YEAR-OLD Bulilima man tried to burn his grandparents and niece in their bedroom huts while they were asleep following a dispute over his father’s estate.

Mrs Lucy Sithole (59) and her 10-year-old granddaughter fled from their hut in the middle of the night when Anderson Ndlovu set it on fire.

Ndlovu also set on fire a hut in which his grandfather Mr Joyce Ndlovu (77) was sleeping and he escaped unharmed. However, property from the two huts was destroyed.

Ndlovu of Bhembenene Village appeared before Plumtree magistrate Mr Gideon Ruvetsa facing attempted murder charges. He was remanded in custody to September 9. Prosecuting, Mrs Rose Sibanda said Ndlovu flew into a rage after his grandparents refused to give him three cattle that belonged to his late father.

“In 2008, Ndlovu’s father died when his son was 14-years-old and he left three cattle with his father Mr Joyce Ndlovu. In 2010 the property was shared and Ndlovu’s grandfather refused to release the cattle.

“On 11 August, Ndlovu went to his grandfather’s homestead at around 1AM and demanded the cattle back and threatened to kill him if he didn’t comply. Mr Ndlovu ignored his grandson who was shouting outside and continued sleeping,” she said.

Mrs Sibanda said an hour later, Mr Ndlovu woke up and found his bedroom hut on fire. She said the old man bolted out of his bedroom hut and realised that the hut where his sister and a 10-year-old granddaughter were sleeping was also on fire.

Mrs Sibanda said Mr Ndlovu banged the door and called out for them to wake up.

She said they fled from the burning huts but their property was destroyed by the fire. — @DubeMatutu