Three in Court for Vandalism and Arson at Land Dev...

Three in Court for Vandalism and Arson at Land Development Sites

Munyaradzi Mashiri

Court Correspondent

Three individuals have appeared in court for allegedly vandalizing property and setting houses on fire at Southlands Land Developers and Loomlight Land Developers.

Tinei Chipembere ,42, Otillia Welemu ,42, and Livison Zvirevo ,62, appeared before the Harare Magistrates’ Court, facing charges of public violence.

The State alleges that on January 30, 2025, the trio, along with accomplices still at large, gathered at Warwick Shire Farm, Lake Chivero, Zvimba, to protest against the subdivision of the farm into residential stands and its subsequent development.

During the protest, they allegedly engaged in acts of public violence, vandalizing property and setting multiple houses on fire.

The court heard that the accused first targeted the Southlands Land Developers’ site offices, where they tore down a security fence, gained entry, and set ablaze two wooden cabins used as a storeroom and office. This resulted in the destruction of building materials and diesel fuel.

They then proceeded to Loomlight Land Developers’ site offices, where they allegedly removed the roof of a three-roomed house, broke all its window panes, and destroyed a 5,000-litre water tank, a borehole, and construction equipment.

The accused also reportedly set several fowl runs, containing chickens, on fire before fleeing the scene upon the arrival of the police.

The total value of the damaged property is yet to be determined, and nothing has been recovered.