Cape Town – A three-year-old child died and five other people were injured after a house they were sleeping in was set alight in Malamulele, Limpopo.
The suspect allegedly doused the house with a flammable substance through the window and set it alight in the early hours of Sunday morning, police said.
Police have since launched a manhunt for the suspect, said police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba in a statement.
“A 29-year-old man had during the day on Saturday, December 10, reportedly visited his ex-girlfriend, 23, who was at home with her two children, aged two months and two years, her cousin and her two children, aged six days and three years. The two started arguing and the man reportedly left after the heated altercation,” said Ledwaba.
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He said at about 01:00 on Sunday, an unknown suspect sprinkled a flammable liquid, believed to be petrol through the window and set the house on fire, and fled the scene.
“The victims screamed for help and they were eventually rescued by community members.
“Police and emergency rescue services were summoned and the victims were transported to hospital in critical condition. Police then opened a case of arson and six counts of attempted murder,” said Ledwaba.
The three-year-old child, identified as Vunene Ngobeni succumbed to her injuries and the sixth count of attempted murder was then changed to murder.
Ledwaba said the motive for the incident was not yet known but domestic violence cannot be ruled out.
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Compiled by Olwethu Mpeshe
