A man dubbed ‘The Arsonist’ is expected to make his first appearance in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court tomorrow.

The man is linked to a murder, a residential burglary and 25 counts of arson committed in Johannesburg northern suburbs in the past two years.

According to a statement shared by SAPS provincial spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili, the Serious and Violent Crime (SVC) Unit in Gauteng arrested Johannesburg’s most-wanted suspected arsonist on October 11 at about 18:00.

“The SVC team operationalised information received from National Crime Intelligence and mobilised SAPS Johannesburg K9, Community Active Protection (CAP) Security and Fidelity Specialised Services for back-up. At about 18:00, the suspect was located walking on foot in Emmarentia and he was apprehended,” said Muridili.

Cap added that the team seized a cellphone and knife from the suspect and arrested him without any shots being fired and no injuries being reported.

It is reported that during the incidents, the suspect would break in at affluent houses and after stealing property he would then set the houses alight.

In one of the incidents, an elderly man lost his life due to smoke inhalation as he was in the house when it was set alight.

Gauteng police commissioner Lieutenant General Elias Mawela appreciated the law-abiding citizens of Gauteng for their tip-offs following the publishing of the wanted suspect’s photo in early September.

“Thank you to those who took the time to call in and share valuable information that has now led to this arrest. It goes to show that with the community on our side, we can do more to fight crime.”

Mawela commended the team that effected the arrest for a job well done.