The community of Miluwani Unit C Extension 2 is still reeling in shock after a couple died when their rented room was set alight.
The victims, Aluwani Madzena from Bunzhe village and Ms Precilla Ravele of Shayandima township, were asleep when the fire broke out around 18:00 on Sunday, 12 October. Both sustained severe burn wounds and were admitted to hospital, where they later died — Madzena on 17 October and Ravele on 19 October.
Vhembe SAPS spokesperson W/O Vuledzani Dathi confirmed that the case had been changed from attempted murder to two counts of murder.
"We have since amended the case from attempted murder to two counts of murder. The suspect(s) in the case are unknown," he said.
It is alleged that two suspects, a man and a woman, were seen fleeing the scene shortly after the fire started. Preliminary investigations suggest that a flammable liquid, believed to be petrol, was poured through the door before the room was set alight.
Miluwani civic chairperson Mr Tshengelo Silas Sandani said the community was deeply shocked.
"Crime is getting out of hand in our communities. People are now behaving like wild animals that do not care. We are shocked to the core as a community. We have never experienced such brutality in our area, and we are leaving all in the hands of the police, so that the perpetrators be brought to book and pay for their sins," he said.
Sandani also raised concerns about landlords failing to register tenants.
"Some of the owners are not cooperating when it comes to registering their tenants. We end up harbouring wanted criminals who are fugitives of the law. We are calling on all landlords to work with us, and together we will eradicate crime in our township," he said.