By – Itai Mazire
A Mazowe man who doused a woman with petrol and watched her burst into flames over a dispute about a second plate of sadza has been jailed for an effective four years.
Kudakwashe Nyeverai, 32, poured fuel from a two-litre container over the head and face of a 25-year‑old food vendor as she stood next to an open fire, turning her into a human torch in broad daylight.
The attack happened on 27 March 2026 at around 1100 hours.
Nyeverai had ordered one plate of sadza and paid USD 1.
When he asked for a second helping, the victim asked him to pay first. An argument over change erupted.
Instead of walking away, Nyeverai unleashed a deadly assault.
“In a violent outburst, the offender poured petrol from a two-litre container onto the victim’s head and face while she was cooking near an open fire,” the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said.
“The victim immediately caught fire and sustained severe burns all over her head and face.”
The woman, from Chiweshe Village in Mazowe, was rushed for medical treatment.
The NPA confirmed she was later examined and treated for her injuries, but did not disclose her current condition.
Nyeverai was convicted of attempted murder by the Bindura Regional Magistrates’ Court.
He received a five‑year prison term, with one year suspended on condition of good behaviour. He will serve an effective four years behind bars.
The victim is from Chitungwiza area, Chiweshe village, Mazowe.
The authority did not hold back in its warning to violent offenders.
“The justice system will continue to firmly deal with violent offenders whose reckless actions place innocent lives at risk,” the NPA declared.
Nyeverai, of Jumbo Mine in Mazowe, showed no remorse as the sentence was read. He will spend the next four years in prison.