Police confirmed that a woman’s alleged 34-old-year ex-boyfriend had been arrested and charged with arson.
Masentle Mbabane, 32, and her 11-year-old daughter lived in the RDP flat in AfriVillage, but at around 22:00 on January 2, Mbabane got a call from a neighbour to tell her that her flat was on fire. She immediately ran home.
“People had already broken down the doors trying to put out the flames but it was too late to save our things. We couldn’t salvage anything … a TV set, the new sofas I bought just four days before and our clothes all went up in flames.”
Mbabane added that the damage is estimated at around R300 000 which includes the cost of repairing the flat, replacing the electricity wiring and windows, as well as painting the walls.
“The bathroom has to be replaced because it is pitch black from the smoke,” Mbabane added.
She said while she’s grateful that she and her child were safe, the whole incident traumatised both of them.
The most difficult thing was having to tell my daughter that her room and all her things were now ashes – some of the items I had just bought her to start school in 2022 were among them. At this stage we’re glad that there are people who still care and are willing to help us,” Mbabane said.
Colonel Bonny Molefi said he and other members of Randfontein Police have since made efforts to buy clothes for Mababane and her child, including a new school uniform.
