The case against Caroline Travers (52), who is accused of arson and attempted murder following a 2022 house fire in Birchleigh, resumed on October 1 in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court.

The charges stem from a blaze on March 12, 2022, at a property on Essenwood Avenue, where Travers allegedly set her house on fire in the early hours of the morning.

Her husband was rescued from the burning home but later died in hospital.

Reservist Constable Testifies

A Norkem Park SAPS reservist Constable, who asked not to be named took the stand and recalled arriving at the scene alongside CPF members.

He said they found a woman who told them she had started the fire and that her husband was still inside.

“She continued saying she wished her husband could die in the fire, even after we informed her of her right to remain silent,” he testified.

Read more about the matter here: Court hears details of 2022 Birchleigh house fire as trial unfolds

He described the desperate rescue attempts, saying all the doors were locked, and that they eventually gained access through a broken window.

“As I opened the door, I saw Mr Travers lying in the passageway, gasping for air. We pulled him into a bedroom, covered him with a bed cover and then carried him out through the window with the help of CPF members.”

The Reservist Constable said the victim was still breathing when they handed him over to paramedics.

He added that they were informed dogs were inside the house, but the risk of re-entering was too great.

He also testified that after the fire was contained, they discovered firearm frames inside the house, which were handed over to investigating officers.

Forensic Expert’s Evidence

The court also heard testimony from Warrant Officer Godfrey Moshabane, a forensic expert. He said he was called to the scene by W/O Ferreira at around 2:20am.

“The roof looked like it could collapse at any moment, so I didn’t enter the house. I took photographs from outside and documented the firearms retrieved from the fire.”

Also read: Woman arrested for arson and attempted murder

Moshabane explained that he later went to Tembisa Hospital after being informed that the injured man had died.

“I was taken to the mortuary, where I photographed the deceased, who was covered with hospital dressing material. In total, I compiled 28 photos from the house, the surroundings, and the mortuary.”

Defence Response

The defence argued that Travers never admitted to setting the house alight but rather said she had started a fire which later spread.

They also challenged a statement by the Reservist Constable regarding a handbag allegedly carried by the accused, saying no other witnesses mentioned it.

Travers denied having a handbag at the time.

The matter was postponed to November 4 for further hearing.