Katima Mulilo
A man believed to be mentally disturbed is alleged to have burned to death a 50-year-old woman in her hut at Sikwekwe village in the Choi area some 120 km west of Katima Mulilo.
The deceased has been identified as Anna Lola Kuzibuka.
The incident, which has sent shockwaves across the region, took place on Monday evening.
The man, who appeared in court on Wednesday on a charge of murder, has been identified as 43-year-old Lulateho Besta Matengu.
It is not clear what prompted the despicable act but information obtained from the police has revealed that the man stood guard at the door of the hut with a spear after setting it alight in order to prevent the woman from escaping the raging inferno.
He had allegedly first torched his own house before setting alight Kuzibuka’s adjacent hut.
He is then said to have fled the scene with his eight-year-old son, who was under the care of the deceased, and he was arrested on Wednesday. The case was postponed to the 27th of next month to allow time for psychiatric evaluation to determine whether the accused is fit to stand trial.
The accused has been remanded in custody. Magistrate Nomsa Sibanda presided over the case while George Matali appeared for the State.