PETAUKE MAN BURNS GIRLFRIEND’S HOME AFTER REJECTION.

PETAUKE MAN BURNS GIRLFRIEND’S HOME AFTER REJECTION.

A 22-year-old man of Simambumbu Village in Petauke District has been arrested for allegedly burning the house of his former girlfriend after she rejected his marriage proposal in order to continue with her education.

Eastern Province Police Commanding Officer Robertson Mweemba has confirmed the incident, which occurred on the night of February 3, 2026, and said the house targeted was occupied by three children at the time.Mr. Mweemba said the suspect, identified as Portipher Phiri, allegedly set a thatched house on fire using a burning stick.

He said the house was occupied by the suspect’s 18-year-old former girlfriend, Labya Mwenda, her 15-year-old sister and his one-year-old son.

Mr. Mweemba explained that the suspect earlier confronted Ms. Mwenda at her bedroom window, demanding to be allowed inside and threatening violence. He said the suspect was chased away by the children’s mother, Grace Mwanza, but later returned and allegedly set the house ablaze.

He said villagers responded to screams, found the door chained from outside, broke into the house and rescued the occupants before the structure was completely destroyed. Mr. Mweemba added that the suspect has since been apprehended and is in police custody, while investigations continue.