A former laboratory assistant at Masvingo Provincial Hospital died in a house fire at Victoria Ranch on Monday night, hours before he was due to appear at the...
A former laboratory assistant at Masvingo Provincial Hospital died in a house fire at Victoria Ranch on Monday night, hours before he was due to appear at the Masvingo High Court for a divorce hearing.
The deceased, identified as Zvinofara Shuro, 65, died after an inferno broke out at his home, according to a report by The Masvingo Mirror.
Shuro was expected to attend a High Court hearing on Tuesday in a divorce case involving his wife, Memory Shuro, nee Muchono, 52.
His death was confirmed by his son, who spoke to The Masvingo Mirror but declined to be identified.
When journalists visited the property, police had sealed off the house as investigations into the incident were expected to take place.
A forensic team was also expected at the scene as authorities began examining the circumstances surrounding the fire.
The cause of the fire had not been established at the time of publication.
Police had not publicly provided details on whether the fire was accidental or whether foul play was suspected.
Efforts by The Masvingo Mirror to obtain a comment from police spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dewa were unsuccessful.
The incident occurred on the eve of a scheduled divorce hearing before Justice Justin Ulandi at the Masvingo High Court.
According to the report, Shuro and his wife had been involved in a divorce dispute, with the case described as having been characterised by disagreements between the couple.
The circumstances surrounding the matrimonial dispute have not been fully disclosed publicly.
Memory Muchono Shuro is reported to work for the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) and had recently been attached to the office of the Minister of State for Masvingo, according to The Masvingo Mirror.
The timing of Shuro’s death and the scheduled court appearance is likely to draw attention as investigations continue, but there is currently no confirmed evidence linking the fire to the divorce proceedings.
Authorities are expected to establish how the fire started and determine the circumstances surrounding Shuro’s death.
The sealing of the property by police indicates that the scene was being preserved for further investigation and forensic examination.
Details surrounding the incident remained limited at the time of reporting, with police yet to issue a detailed public statement.
The High Court proceedings involving the couple may also be affected by Shuro’s death, although the status of the divorce case following his death had not been established in the available report.
Further information is expected from police and other authorities as investigations continue.
