THREE suspects who were arrested three months ago for allegedly attempting to set ablaze a Harare house owned by Zimbabwe’s ambassador to Botswana Thomas Mandigora were set free yesterday after the State failed to provide a trial date for them.
BY CHARLES LAITON SENIOR COURT REPORTER
The three – namely Misheck Njumbani, Richard Boroma Kwejo and Marlon Tunga Chibwana — were arrested on October 20 last year, two days after they allegedly attempted to set Mandigora’s Highfield house on fire accusing him of snubbing them at an annual party held at the property.
They were charged with five counts of attempted murder and arson and had been in custody since November 8 last year.
However, Harare magistrate Donald Ndirowei refused to place them on further remand accusing the State of failing to come up with a trial date within a reasonable period.
Allegations against the trio were that on October 18, they hatched a plan to petrol-bomb Mandigora’s house located along Jabavu Drive, Old Highfield, Harare, accusing the diplomat of snubbing his neighbours.
It is alleged they teamed up and met at Kwejo’s house who supplied beer bottles, sand, pebbles and wicks, while Chibwana supplied four litres of petrol.
The State had alleged Njumbani used the supplied materials to manufacture two “Molotov cocktail” devices which he left at Kwejo’s home.
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At around 6pm it is alleged, Njumbani confronted Edmore Karipi, a caretaker at the diplomat’s house, and questioned him on why they were never invited to the parties and asked the caretaker what he would do if the house caught fire.
The court heard that the following day at around 2am, Kwejo and Chibwana, together with Njumbani, took turns to throw the missiles in an attempt to set the house on fire.
The matter was reported to police and investigations led to the trio’s arrest. Sharon Mashavira appeared for the State.
