Polokwane – When he came back home from a quick trip to the shops where he had been sent by his father, the young boy saw his family house engulfed in flames with both of his parents inside.
A crowd of people surrounded the house in Limpopo.
Police believed the incident to have been a result of domestic violence that led to the house being torched.
Police spokesperson, Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, the incident took place on Sunday morning.
“The local police received information about a burning house at about 07:00 and upon arrival at the scene, they found the gutted house and were informed that there was a couple inside,” Ledwaba said.
The deceased were identified as Thovhowani Masakona aged 35 and her partner Christopher Mudau aged 38. SAPS reported that the home was located at Madimbo village under Tshamutumbu in the Vhembe District and that the couple were both employed as Social Workers at the Limpopo Department of Social Development.
#sapsLIM Couple, employed as Social Workers at the Limpopo @The_DSD, died in a house fire in Madimbo village under Tshamutumbu in the Vhembe District on 18/12. #SAPS opened an inquest docket and investigations are continuing. #ReportCrime #EndGBV MEhttps://t.co/PpHk9xBPVC pic.twitter.com/NFHVsih06X
— SA Police Service ?? (@SAPoliceService) December 20, 2022
Ledwaba said that the son had been sent to the store twice. Upon returning from his second trip, he arrived to see his family home scorched by flames.
“Preliminary probe conducted by Police revealed that one of the partners, a 38-year-old man, had that morning sent his son to buy petrol from the filling station for the generator and upon his return, the man sent him again to the shop to buy some food. When the boy came back he was apparently surprised to see his family house on fire, surrounded by people.”
“The motive for the incident will be determined by the unfolding investigations but domestic violence cannot be ruled out as the couple are alleged to have had differences the previous night,” Ledwaba added.
The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has warned strongly against resorting to violence when confronted by domestic challenges.
“It is utterly inexcusable to continue losing lives in this fashion where individuals who find themselves in the midst of domestic challenges, resort to extreme measures that involve taking lives. We urge all people in similar situations, to seek professional assistance from relevant structures,” said General Hadebe.
The Police have opened an inquest docket and investigations are ongoing.
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Compiled by Junaid Benjamin
