Three people were arrested on Wednesday after a 36-year-old woman from the Skierlik informal settlement in Mamelodi, east of Pretoria, was left fighting for her life after she was doused in petrol and set alight.

The victim Maria Mokwena (36) was allegedly set alight by the three suspects, a man (29) and two women (aged 37 and 45), according to Mamelodi police spokesperson Constable Lethabo Mashiloane.

While the local community believed that the attack was linked to a group allegedly extorting “protection fees” from residents, police confirmed that only a case of attempted murder was being investigated.

“Their arrest came after they had been traced for weeks,” said Mashiloane.

“They were arrested in different locations following an extensive search.”

Mokwena was attacked at her home where she stayed with her boyfriend and two children in mid-September.

Her boyfriend, 40-year-old Richardsman Mdluli, told Pretoria Rekord he had been asleep when two women and three heavily armed men descended upon the house.

“It was around 22:00 and they started banging loudly on our doors,” he said.

“They had already broken down our gate. I opened the door and saw the group were carrying a 20-litre petrol container.”

Mdluli said the group told him to vacate the shack together with Mokwena and two children.

“We went outside and I heard them slapping her,” he said.

“I went back into the home to collect some possessions. Then I heard her screaming.”

Mdluli rushed outside to find Mokwena engulfed in flames.

With the help of neighbours using blankets, the family was able to put out the flames.

Mokwena is still in hospital and critical condition, according to Mdluli.

“My children desperately need counselling because they witnessed everything and saw their mother set alight right in front of them,” he said.

The motive behind the attack is unclear, but Mdluli claims that the group behind it had been trying to extort “protection fees” from Skierlik residents.

“We are forced to pay R150 for protection, service delivery and maintenance,” he said.

The group is also accused of forcing every household in the area to pay R800 to R700 for electricity installation.

Mdluli said Mokwena had stood up against the group and refused to pay.

Another resident, Ndivhuwo Lhuvhengo, claimed everyone was living in fear due to the ongoing extortion.

She pleaded with the police to take action against those involved.

“They should make sure those responsible remain in police custody until the case is solved. Should they be released, people’s lives will be in danger,” she said.

Some residents also claimed the police were involved in protecting those who demanded extortion payments.

Mashiloane, however, said they had not received any reports of extortion or corruption.

“The case in question is attempted murder only.

“The public is advised to open a case of extortion against the suspects.”

He asked residents with information that can lead to the arrest of the police involved in any corruption to please come forward.

“Please note the registration number of police vehicles involved and bring this to the station so that detectives investigate,” he said.