Man arrested for arson and attempted murder

Vosman police are investigating a case of arson and attempted murder in Lynnville.
On Saturday, October 3 at about 19:30 the police were called after a house had burned. Ms Nomvula Mbethe (40) of Lynnville alleges that her 30 year-old boyfriend started the fire.

The burned ceiling of the house belonging to Ms Nomvula Mbethe of Lynnville.

She said she was at a party a few metres away from her home when her child came running to tell her that her house was on fire. According to the police the child indicated that the boyfriend had accidentally left an iron on top of a bed and did not switch it off.

The burned and broken windows of the house in Lynnville. The windows were broken to gain entry into the house.

The woman and neighbours managed to put out the fire and had to break a window to gain entry into the burning room. Ms Mbethe later called for her two-year-old twins, who she had left in the house, and there was no response.

“I was not thinking clearly when I did not find my children, I was confused and traumatised. I was thinking of the worst and I later called the police.”

When the police came to the scene they started their investigation and later traced the suspect, who was arrested.
After being questioned, he apparently confessed and showed the police where he had left the twins. They were found uninjured and were brought back in the early hours of the morning on Sunday. Allegedly their clothes smelled of paraffin.

Further investigation by the police revealed that paraffin was used to start the fire.
The police stated that the mother was traumatised after noticing that her children were not inside the house after the fire was extinguished, and police had trouble getting a statement from her. It was only after she had calmed down that they managed to get a statement.

Extensive damage to the wardrobe of the burned house belonging to Ms Nomvula Mbethe of Lynnville. The fire was allegedly started by her boyfriend who was later arrested and charged.

“I still have flashbacks of what happened and I am still afraid,” said Ms Mbethe.

A man was arrested and charged with arson and attempted murder.