MEC visits bereaved family whose house was petrol-bombed
The MEC for transport and community safety visited the grieving Mahwelereng family, who lost three members.
Makoma Makhurupetje, MEC for Transport and Community Safety, at the bedside of one of the injured. Photo: Limpopo Transport
It is alleged an entire family was asleep when the suspect, believed to be a boyfriend of one of the members of the family, threw what is believed to be a petrol bomb at the house in Limpopo.
It immediately caught fire and the family of eight, between the ages of three months old and 30 years old, were trapped inside, reports Polokwane Review.
A five-year-old girl died on the scene and a second child, aged two, and an adult have since died. The injured family members, including the mother of the deceased children, are still receiving treatment at a medical facility.
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Makhurupetje expressed her condolences, and condemned the incident. She urged people who are dealing with domestic issues to seek professional help and not to resort to violence.
“I’m appalled by what happened to this family … They did not deserve to be attacked in this manner during an apparent case of domestic violence, as the perpetrator is known to the family. In case people have got domestic issues to solve with their family members, it is better that they seek counsel from pastors or social workers and not to resort to violence of this nature.”
She further urged the police to not take lightly any reported cases of abuse, as victims become vulnerable to attacks, such as what happened in this case.
“I have instructed the provincial commissioner to take immediate drastic action against police officers who allegedly failed the victims in this particular case. Justice will done and we want the community to remain calm as we promise to work with them, together with the municipality and the CPF, until this matter is finally laid to rest”, concluded MEC Makhurupetje.
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