Mr Jacob Mthimunye took the lives of his family into his own hands, when he arrived where he used to live with them and set their home alight, with his wife, son and two daughters.
It is alleged that Mr Mthimunye arrived at their home in the evening and poured petrol around and inside the house, before starting the fire in the bedroom, where his youngest daughter was asleep with his wife. The eight-year-old daughter was apparently the first to die from the fire. Mrs Johanna Mthimunye was rescued by her 23-year-old daughter who tried to pull her out of the burning shack. She was later admitted into hospital along with Mr Mthimunye where they both died.
“The couple was going through some marital problems and it was so bad that Johanna had to have a restraining order against Jacob,” said Mr Mzwezwi Peter Mahlangu, Mrs Mthimunye’s uncle. He also added that Mrs Mthimunye was a very jolly person who got along with her neighbours; she was an honest person who loved peace. The family said that they do not understand what led Mr Mthimunye to burn down the house and his family along with it.
Mr and Mrs Mthimunye are survived by their 23-year-old daughter and a 16-year-old son. The family has set a date for their funeral; it will be held on Saturday, January11 and the church service will begin at 08:00. The bodies will be taken to their final resting place at Kromdraai Cemetery at 12:30.
