Stepfather Jailed for 12 Years After Setting Bedroom Ablaze to Kill Stepdaughters
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A Mutare man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison after attempting to kill his two stepdaughters by setting their bedroom on fire. Zvenyika Gomo (50) appeared before the Mutare Regional Court, where he was convicted of attempted murder and malicious damage to property.
The court heard that on 9 June 2024, Gomo broke into the house where his stepdaughters, aged 11 and 12, were sleeping. He poured petrol in the bedroom and set it alight before fleeing the scene. Fortunately, the girls managed to escape unharmed, and neighbours quickly extinguished the fire.
The blaze destroyed property worth US$4,500 and reduced US$1,500 in cash to ashes. Magistrate Tafadzwa Mhlanga ruled that Gomo’s actions were premeditated and unlawful, sentencing him to 10 years for attempted murder (with two years suspended) and six years for malicious damage to property (with two years suspended).
“The accused acted with clear intent to harm, and his actions endangered lives and caused significant property damage,” said the magistrate.
The case has shocked the local community, highlighting the dangers of domestic violence and the importance of protecting vulnerable family members. Gomo’s stepdaughters are now safe, but the incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for vigilance and support for victims of abuse.
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