Petrol bombing: MEC visits bereaved family
On Sunday morning, Makoma Makhurupetje, MEC for Transport and Community Safety, visited the grieving Mahwelereng family who lost three members, including two young children, after their house was petrol bombed on Friday 5 October.
LIMPOPO – It is alleged the entire family was asleep when the suspect, believed to be a boyfriend of one of the members of the family, threw what is believed to be a petrol bomb at the house. It immediately caught fire and the family of eight, between the ages of three months old and 30-years-old, were trapped inside.
A five-year-old girl died on the scene and second child, aged 2, and an adult have since died. The injured family members, including the mother of the deceased children, are still receiving treatment at a medical facility.
You may also want to read: Two children killed in petrol bombed house outside Mokopane
Makhurupetje expressed her condolences and condemned the incident and urged people who are dealing with domestic issued to seek professional help and not to resort to violence.
“I’m appalled by what happened to this family… They did not deserve to be attacked in this manner during an apparent case of domestic violence as the perpetrator is known to the family. In case people have got domestic issues to solve with their family members, it is better that they seek counsel from pastors or social workers and not resort to violence of this nature.”
She further urged the police to not take lightly any reported cases of abuse as victims become vulnerable to attacks such as it happened in this case.
“Whoever did this must be caught and arrested as he does not deserve to live in our society. To avoid this kind of incident from happening, the police must start taking cases of domestic violence seriously” MEC commented.
“I have instructed the Provincial Commissioner to take immediate drastic action against police officers who allegedly failed the victims in this particular case. Justice will done and we want the community to remain calm as we promise to work with them together with the Municipality and the CPF until this matter is finally laid to rest”, concluded MEC Makhurupetje.
