Cape Town – A Gauteng man Daniel Tebogo Maphopho is reportedly on trial in the Gauteng High Court, facing arson, murder, and attempted murder charges after he was accused of setting his ex-lover’s home alight and killing a five-year-old child in the process.
According to News24, Maphopho allegedly refused to accept that his relationship with his former girlfriend Matsidiso Lebotse was over.
He first acted out on November 17, 2020 when he instructed Lebotse to come with him to his home. When Lebostse declined, Maphopho decided to stab her with a knife.
He escaped the scene – thanks to the interference of another male, Lebotse survived.
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However, according to the report, Maphopho returned on the third day while Lebotse and her family were sleeping at their home.
He stood outside and called on Lebotse to come out, saying he was there to fetch her. He further claimed that she was his “wife”.
Lebotse’s mother responded telling him to go away. He then set the house on fire while they were inside.
Lebotse and other family members were able to flee, but Neo, who was 5-years-old at the time, died as a result of severe burn wounds.
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Incidents of this nature are not rare. In December last year, a man was reportedly beaten to death and set alight by the community in Trenance Park, KwaZulu-Natal after he allegedly set alight the home of his girlfriend, with her seven-year-old son inside.
According to The Witness, the man had had an argument with his girlfriend in the afternoon on Christmas Day.
He then went out of the house soon after the altercation but returned later and set the house on fire, with the child inside.
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Compiled by Sinothando Siyolo
