In a tragic incident, a man from Silobela resorted to an extreme act of self-harm. Fueled by suspicions that his wife was having an extramarital affair with their landlord, he doused himself in petrol and set himself on fire.
Although the police were unable to immediately verify the incident when contacted for comment, Member of Parliament for Silobela, Jonah Nyevera, confirmed that the distressing event took place on Saturday.
According to Nyevera, the deceased, Onias Mangena, harboured suspicions about his wife’s alleged affair with their landlord, Wilberforce Mukumba, for some time. On the day of the incident, Mangena had a dispute with his wife, subsequently locking her and their children inside their rented home before purchasing petrol from a nearby fuel station.
“On the day, he had an altercation with his wife and he locked her together with their minor kids in a house. He then went to a nearby garage to buy petrol which he intended to use to douse them in the house,” he said.
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Fortunately, neighbours heard the cries of Mangena’s wife and children and intervened, rescuing them before alerting the authorities.
Even when the police contacted Mangena, he falsely claimed to be at home.
“Since he had already purchased the petrol, he went into the house where he set himself ablaze. He was reduced to ashes,” said the legislator.
Nyevera expressed the community’s profound shock in the wake of the incident.
“We are still shocked by the development and I think had he gotten someone to talk to over the allegations, he could have solved the matter in a better way,” said the legislator.
