The remains of a 23-year-old woman and her 8-month-old son were discovered in a burnt house in the Mopani district yesterday. A man, caught by community members after the incident, is expected to appear in court for murder next week.

Police spokesperson Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba says that emergency responders arrived at the scene to find a house ablaze.

Upon extinguishing the fire, the victims’ bodies were found to be burnt beyond recognition.

Mashaba says that the incident is believed to be related to domestic violence as preliminary investigations revealed suspicious behaviour by a 27-year-old suspect in the hours before the fire.

“Witnesses reported noticing unusual actions, including moving furniture and an unusual smell emanating from the house. Shortly after, they noticed smoke [coming] from the house and the suspect fleeing the scene.”

The suspect was apprehended with community assistance and now faces two counts of murder and domestic violence.

Further investigation will attempt to determine when and how the victims were killed.

The suspect is expected to appear before the Nkowankowa Magistrate’s Court on Monday.