A 30-year-old man, identified as John Masuku, set himself, his partner (28) and their two-year-old toddler alight in Leslie, Mpumalanga on Thursday, June 12.

According to the Mpumalanga police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane, the incident took place during an altercation at their home when the man accused his partner of infidelity.

“It is alleged that the man poured petrol over himself and the woman who was holding the child, then ignited the flames. The woman and the toddler managed to escape and get help from nearby relatives,” Ndubane said.

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The three were transported to a nearby hospital. The man died on arrival. The woman and child have survived. However, the child has been transferred to a specialised medical facility due to the severity of her injuries.

Ndubane said the police have since opened a case of attempted murder and an inquest docket has also been registered.