Man wanted for setting woman, children alight
Police in Loate, north of Pretoria, have launched a manhunt for a 33-year-old man who allegedly poured petrol on a woman and her three children before setting them alight in Winterveldt.
It is alleged the man had come to collect R30 debt from the woman’s husband on earlier this month, Rekord East reported.
Police spokesperson Constable Petunia Chabangu said the woman, Elsie Lapkin, 38, and her children, Dina, 4, and Bathrai, 2, were at home when a man known to them came looking for her husband to collect the money.
Chabangu added the suspect demanded the money from the wife but left after she said she had none. He returned with a 5 litre container of petrol. When Lapkin opened the door for him, he poured petrol over her and her children before allegedly setting them alight.
“Neighbours who heard the screams rushed to the house to help. Luckily, they managed to put out the fire then called the ambulance and the police. The suspect ran away on foot,” she said.
The husband, Samuel Moyana said he was still at work when the man he only knew as “Jealous” visited his house.
“When I got home around 7.30pm people were gathered outside, and others were inside trying to help my wife and kids,” he said.
“I was totally devastated by the incident,” said the distraught Moyana.
Moyana admitted he owed the suspect R30. All the victims sustained multiple burn wounds.
Chabangu said police are investigating a case of arson and three of attempted murder. Anyone with information is requested to contact the nearest police station.
In a separate incident, a woman and a nine month-old baby died after the husband of a prominent African National Congress politician allegedly doused his wife with petrol and set her alight as she and other people were sleeping in a house in Olifantshoek, Northern Cape.
The wife survived the attack, but another woman and the baby died.
”The wife is a well-known politician at the local ZF Magcwau municipality. She was recuperating at a relative’s house in Olifantshoek after spending some time in hospital when the incident happened,” said police’s Lieutenant Donald Mdluli.
”It is alleged that man came back at around 2am, entered through an unlocked door and doused his wife with petrol while she was sleeping and set her alight. A relative, aged 35, and a nine-month-old baby, who were in the same room, succumbed to serious burn wounds they suffered,” said Mdluli.
– Caxton News Service
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