Bindura man douses his father with paraffin, sets him alight during a domestic dispute

BINDURA – A routine family visit turned into a horrifying act of violence on 20 September 2025 at Bodeli Farm in Bindura, when a man allegedly set his father on fire during a domestic dispute.

The suspect, Washington Maushe, is now facing attempted murder charges after reportedly dousing his father, Costain Maushe, with a flammable liquid and igniting him in broad daylight.

According to the official police report, Costain had visited his son’s homestead reportedly feeling unwell.

The two sat outside the kitchen discussing social matters, with Washington’s younger brother, Simbarashe Maushe, briefly present.

Simbarashe stepped away to bathe, but upon returning to retrieve a forgotten bar of soap, he witnessed Washington pouring what appeared to be petrol over their father’s head and setting him alight.

Flames engulfed the complainant’s body, according to the report.

Simbarashe and Erika Kamhiripiri, who was present at the homestead, quickly intervened, extinguishing the fire using water and sand.

A relative then rushed the victim to Bindura Provincial Hospital for emergency treatment.

The matter was reported to ZRP Bindura Rural, and responding officers fired two warning shots to subdue Washington, who was reportedly armed with an axe and behaving violently.

Washington Maushe was arrested and is now facing attempted murder charges under Section 189 as read with Section 47 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23.

ZRP Mashonaland Central Acting Spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Lucy Chigwenhese, condemned the incident, urging citizens to seek peaceful resolutions.

“We encourage members of the public to resolve disputes amicably and seek third-party intervention rather than resorting to violence,” she said.