Bad joke turns sour, man sets house ablaze

Zim Now Writer

A Gweru magistrate yesterday sentenced 41-year-old Joseph McCarthy to 10 years’ imprisonment on charges of assault and malicious damage of property, following a disagreement over a bad joke shared between the complainant’s brother and the accused person.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe, on April 17, McCarthy who was drinking beer with the complainant’s brother, Rodreck Munyanyiwa, did not take well a joke shared between the two, leading him to attack Munyaradzi Munyanyiwa before setting ablaze his blanket, with the fire spreading to the whole house.

“The fire destroyed Rebecca Nyathi’s 13 roomed house and property, all valued at US$22 415.

“The accused is said to have been apprehended by Munyaradzi Munyanyiwa and his neighbours who handed him over to the police,” the NPA said.

He was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment of which three years were suspended.

A further four years were suspended on condition of restitution of US$21 000 to Rebecca Nyathi and one year suspended on condition of restitution of US$755 to Munyaradzi Munyanyiwa.

He will serve two years effectively.