A Mazowe man has been sentenced to an effective four years in prison after he poured petrol on a woman and set her ablaze during an argument over food payment.
The Bindura Regional Magistrates’ Court sentenced Kudakwashe Nyeverai (32) of Jumbo Mine, Mazowe, to five years imprisonment for attempted murder. One year of the sentence was suspended on condition of good behaviour.
According to court records, the incident occurred on 27 March 2026 at around 11AM in Chiweshe Village, Mazowe.
The 25-year-old victim was reportedly selling food when Nyeverai bought a plate of sadza for US$1. He later requested another serving, but an argument broke out after the woman asked him to pay first before being served again.
In a sudden violent outburst, Nyeverai allegedly took petrol from a two-litre container and poured it onto the victim’s head and face while she was cooking near an open fire.
The woman immediately caught fire and suffered severe burns to her head and face.
She was rushed for medical treatment and later examined by medical professionals.
The court convicted Nyeverai of attempted murder and handed him a five-year jail sentence, with one year suspended, leaving him to serve an effective four years behind bars.