Police in Dowa have arrested a man on suspicion of arson and malicious damage following a dispute that arose over three empty sacks.
Dowa Police Station Public Relations Officer, Sergeant Alice Sitima has identified the man as Chidzakupeza Lyford, aged 26 of Chalunda Village, Traditional Authority (TA) Mkukula in Dowa.
“Lyford, sometime back, sold three bags of unshelled groundnuts to a man identified as Ackim Saiti. Then on Tuesday October 17, the suspect went to Chankhungu Trading Centre to collect his three empty sacks he used to pack the groundnuts from Saiti but found the sacks had worn-out.
“This led to an argument and a fight where Lyford was beaten. Lyford then went to Chalunda Village to deal with Chipiliro Midson, the man who had escorted Saiti the time they were doing the business, but did not find him there.
“Saiti then became furious and set on fire Midson’s grass-thatched house which was being occupied by a certain couple,” said Sitima.
Sitima said property worth about K320,000 which, among others, include kitchen utensils, a Samsung android phone and cash amounting to K150,000 was burnt.
The matter was reported to Chezi Police who rushed to the scene and confirmed the incident and later arrested the suspect.
Lyford, will soon appear before court to answer malicious damage and arson charges.
Reported by Sylvester Kumwenda
