Police in Chasefu district of Eastern Province are holding two brothers of the same aboard who set ablaze a house of a man they suspected to be in a love affair with the eldest brother’s wife.
The Nkhoma brothers both of Betu village are said to have torched Lackason Phiri’s house around 03:00 hours when he and his family where inside.
Mr Phiri of Mpili area in Kampilu village, of Chief Magodi area in Chasefu District reported the incident to Emusa Police Post yesterday.
He disclosed that property worth K7,250 had been lost in the inferno.
Mr Phiri sais he strongly suspected Lackson and Robert Nkhoma both of Betu Village in chief Magodi area to be behind the incident.
He said earlier one of the brothers accused him of having an affair with his wife.
Eastern Province Commanding Officer, Robertson Mweemba confirmed the arson case to ZANIS in Lundazi.
Mr Mweemba said the duo torched the house using a match stick and some grass which were found on the scene.
“Brief facts of the matter are that on Thursday this week at around 20:00 hours, Jackson Phiri, his wife Margaret Chirwa, his younger brother Mailos Phiri, and his young son Elisha Phiri went to sleep in the same house and all was well”, he said.
Mr Mweemba said however that in the early hours of Friday, Jackson Nkhoma was awakened by his younger brother Mailos upon noticing that his house was on fire.
He said Mr Phiri attempted to open the door from inside but failed until he resorted to breaking the window to get out of the house.
“It is alleged that the arson victim found a bunch of dry and burning grass hipped in front of the only entrance to the house, which he managed to remove before breaking the lock to rescue trapped members of his family, ” Mr Mweemba further explained.
Mr Mweemba said one of the suspects that Jackson Nkoma had accused the victim of having an affair with his wife.
“In the month of February 2025, Jackson Nkhoma was confronted by the owner of the wife, and he denied the allegations. He was then warned that he was going to see what he will do to him,” the East police stated.
Police have since picked the two brothers on suspected arson charge to help with investigations.
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