An 18-year-old woman has died after her co-wife allegedly set fire to a shop and adjoining bedroom where she was sleeping with her husband in Mudzi, prompting a murder investigation by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP).
In a statement posted on X, the ZRP confirmed the arrest of the suspect, identified as Elizaberth Ponji, on July 2 in connection with the incident, which occurred a day earlier at Rwamba Business Centre in Mudzi.
Police identified the deceased as Loveness Zinhu, 18, who was allegedly Ponji’s co-wife.
“The ZRP confirms the arrest of Elizaberth Ponji on 02/07/26 in connection with a case of murder which occurred at Rwamba Business Centre, Mudzi on 01/07/26 in which her co-wife, Loveness Zinhu (18), died,” the statement read.
According to investigators, Ponji allegedly poured an unidentified substance on the floor before setting the shop and the adjoining bedroom ablaze while Zinhu and her husband, Peter Mudzengerere, 30, were asleep inside.
“The suspect allegedly set ablaze a shop and a bedroom in which the victim and her husband, Peter Mudzengerere (30), were sleeping after pouring an unknown substance onto the floor,” police said.
Zinhu died in the fire, although authorities did not state whether she died at the scene or later from her injuries. Police also did not disclose the nature of the substance allegedly used to start the blaze.
Mudzengerere reportedly managed to escape from the burning building but collapsed shortly afterwards.
“Peter Mudzengerere managed to escape from the burning house and fell unconscious,” the police said.
His current condition has not been disclosed, while investigations into the incident are ongoing.
