Arson survivors in South Africa for treatment

Herald Reporter
SURVIVORS of an arson attack that killed four family members in Epworth last year are in South Africa receiving treatment. Tariro House of Hope Trust (THH) took Mellisa Mtetwa-Mukarati (9) and Gamuchirai Gohodza (15) to South Africa for reconstructive surgery after they were seriously burnt in the inferno. Mukarati and Gohodza had visited their aunt Ms Lorraine Mtetwa, a single mother who lived with her four children in Epworth.

The fire was reportedly caused by the aunt’s disgruntled boyfriend Bernard Mazhandu Mucheka who allegedly sprinkled petrol and set his lover’s house ablaze after Ms Mtetwa had ended their relationship after she had discovered the man was married.

The incident occurred during the midnight of April 19, 2013.

Mtetwa and her three daughters — Colleta (17), Shamiso (16) and Rutendo — died after the arson, while Mukarati and Gohodza were admitted in the Intensive Care Unit at Harare Central Hospital.

In May 2014, Mukarati and Gohodza’s condition deteriorated, forcing THH to intervene.

The organisation took Mukarati and Gohodza to South Africa for further treatment.

THH programme and finance co-ordinator Mr Augustine Mututu said doctors have indicated that it might take up to two years for Mukarati and Gohodza to fully recover.

Mucheka was charged with four counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder and is awaiting sentence.

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