A LUPANE man allegedly burnt his three-year-old niece to ashes in revenge after the girl’s mother accused him of breaking into their bedroom and stealing her husband’s beer.

Zenzo Sibanda (35) of Kwarai village under Chief Mabhikwa allegedly torched the hut in which his niece, Kelly Joy Ndebele, was sleeping in February 2015.

Sibanda, who was based in Botswana and is now facing a murder charge, has approached the High Court seeking bail pending trial.

The court heard that on February 20, 2015, Zenzo had a misunderstanding with his father Mr Rodgers Sibanda and stepmother, Mrs Ester Sibanda, who accused him of breaking into their bedroom and stealing beer.

Three days later during the absence of his parents, Sibanda proceeded to a grass thatched hut where his niece was sleeping and allegedly torched it resulting in the girl being burnt to ashes.

After committing the alleged crime, the accused person fled from the scene. He was arrested at Masiyenyane Business Centre in Jotsholo the following day.