A sangoma from Tembisa charged with arson, murder and attempted murder was remanded in custody by Alexandra Magistrates’ Court pending further investigation.
He allegedly started a shack inferno trapping his ex-girlfriend, her lover who perished from wounds sustained, and his elder brother. He was arrested after the woman, who also sustained burn wounds, told investigators that the accused had been stalking her.
Both the deceased and the woman sustained burn wounds to the head, upper body and hands while the third victim escaped with minor wounds. They were sleeping in the shack in Tsutsumani when the brother heard noise from outside and smelt petrol at midnight on 12 March. Soon after the place was engulfed in fire. He woke up the couple and tried, but failed, to unlock the door. The three screamed for help and neighbours broke the door enabling them to get out, but not before they sustained burn wounds.
The woman told police that the accused had called and told her that he knew where she lived. She also said she had seen him driving on the same street on the day of the incident. He was arrested on 18 March. The investigation is expected to include evidence that he purchased petrol which likely caused the fire.
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