Gauteng police spokesperson, Captain Kay Makhubela, has confirmed that Mpho Vanessa Sedimela was arrested in connection with a shack fire incident that had killed four Alexandra family members.
The incident happened on 6 April in the early hours of the morning after the suspect had allegedly poured petrol and set alight a shack belonging to her boyfriend.
Read: PICS: Shack fire leaves 161 Alexandra residents homeless
An investigation is still underway to determine the cause of this gruesome incident where four family members, including children, perished in a devastating fire.
There were no other injuries or fatalities reported when the news broke out, however, several others shacks were damaged including residents’ valuables.
Makhubela, on 9 April, confirmed that a suspect had been arrested and is expected to appear in the Alexandra Magistrates’ Court on the day.
“We can confirm that a suspect believed to be a girlfriend has been arrested and will be appearing in court,” said Makhubela.
“The suspect is facing charges of four counts of murder and another one for arson.”
It is apparent, according to media reports, that the suspect and the alleged boyfriend who is the father of the two children who died in the fire, had a fight subsequently leading to this incident.
Read: A family of four perishes in a devastating fire in Alexandra
It is still not yet clear what the fight was about but the police have launched an investigation to determine the situation.
Meanwhile, The City of Johannesburg’s Emergency Management Services spokesperson, Robert Mulaudzi, said that a family of four aged between five and 29 years old lost their lives in this incident.
“They were burnt beyond recognition when their shack caught fire…six other shacks were completely destroyed during the fire incident,” he said.
Sedimela appeared briefly before Magistrate Renier Boshoff on four counts of murder. Her case is postponed to 12 April for legal aid application.
This is a developing story and readers can look out for a detailed report soon.
Details: robertmul@joburg.org.za or 011 222 8288.
Share your view about this story on Alex News Facebook page
