Angry residents of Madombidzha Zone 2 burned down a house belonging to Mr Johannes Ramaremela, one of the suspects in the kidnapping case involving an 11-year-old boy. His house was burnt down last Thursday night, a few days after the case against the five suspects had been dropped by the director of public prosecution (DPP).

Mr Ramaremela was one of the five suspects originally accused by the State of kidnapping Theophilus Tshivhi on 17 January this year. The boy's whereabouts are still unknown. The DPP cited a lack of evidence as the cause for not continuing with the prosecution. Ramaremela (69) and his traditional healer wife, Elizabeth (60), along with two sangomas, Ms Alilali Ndou (81) and Ntakuseni Ndou (32), as well as Mr Sello Tlhaoele, were arrested shortly after the boy had disappeared.

Last week, residents from the Madombidzha area decided to burn down Ramaremela's house and his vehicle parked next to it. Their anger was apparently fuelled by the fact that Ramaremela had visited his house to collect his belongings. Some residents apparently told him not to set foot in the village ever again. When they realised he had returned, residents threw stones at the bakkie that had brought Ramaremela home to load his belongings. They also smashed the windows of the bakkie before setting Ramaremela's house and his car that was parked next to it alight.

Although the old man was injured during the incident, he managed to escape. The police were called to the scene, where they managed to disperse the angry members of the community. Eight community members, including Ward 22's councillor, Mr David Davhana, were arrested following the incident.

The spokesperson for the Tshilwavhusiku police, Mr Godwin Mahuwa, confirmed that the police had opened two cases of arson and malicious damage to property. He said that the eight people who had been arrested were questioned and later released. According to Mahuwa, Davhana was arrested as he was also found at the scene.

Councillor Davhana could not be reached for comment this week. Our reporter was also unable to get comment from any of the five original suspects.