Girl,13, arrested for attempted murder
Thembelihle Mhlanga
A thirteen year old girl from Lunka village in Matshakayile in Lupane under Chief Mabhikwa has been arrested for attempted murder.
The teenage girl is being charged with attempting to burn her grandmother alive.
On the 9th of September 2020 ,a teenager (name withheld) had an altercation with her grandmother Betina Sibanda(69) who was trying to correct (teenager) for her behaviour of going away without advising her. The confrontation did not go well with the teenager who immediately left again to an unknown place.
A neighbour who spoke to Community Podium said “This incident happened around 1900hrs after (gogo) Sibanda had cooked and retired to bed. She was awakened by fire that had engulfed her bedroom hut. In an attempt to escape, she found her bedroom door locked from outside.
“she forcefully knocked down the door and screamed for help, neighbours came and assisted in trying to extinguish the fire but to no avail.All the property was burnt beyond recognition” said the neighbour.
Matabeleland North Police Spokesperson Chief Inspector Spiwe Makonese confirmed the incident saying that the teenager had been arrested for attempted murder.
Inspector Makonese advised the public of good parenting and bringing up children as they are future leaders.
“Children need parental guidance all the time, there is need for parents to ensure that their children are raised in a disciplined manner, children are the leaders of tomorrow so we need to join hands as a people to raise future generations who have due respect to elders, disciplined, with honesty and integrity”, said Insp Makonese
