Security Guard Denied Bail In Mbare Musika Fire Case

A Mbare magistrate has refused to grant bail to a security guard who was detained last week on suspicion of setting Mbare Musika on fire two weeks ago.

Action Chakauya (35) was denied bail due to the gravity of his offense.

Property and wares worth over US$5 million were destroyed in the fire.

Chakauya was placed under routine remand pending trial on November 11 by presiding Magistrate Artwell Sanyatwa.

He is being charged with negligently causing serious property damage.

According to the State, his coworkers who were on duty on the fateful evening witnessed him start the fire, which subsequently spread and destroyed the popular fresh produce market place.

“On the 8th day of October 2024 at around 2100 hours, Chakauya who is a security guard manning premises opposite Mbare Musika retail market set a fire at one of the main entrances to the Mbare Musika Retail Market close to the precast durawall outside the market in full view of other security guards who were on duty inside the Mbare Musika Retail market.

“As he was warming himself the fire broke out and burnt the Mbare Musika Retail market to ashes,” the State alleged.

He is yet to plead to the charges.