The Muzila family of Tshikhwani in the Sinthumule area was left homeless after their eight-room house burnt to ashes last Wednesday night. One suspect has been arrested on a charge of arson.
The fire broke out during a period when no-one was in the house. Community members expressed their suspicions that the fire may have been set deliberately. "We don´t know what the cause of the fire was, but it seems as if someone had entered and set the house on fire," said the owner of the house, Mr Bethuel Muzila. He said that the fire brigade responded very quickly, but the fire had unfortunately already caused severe damage.
"The neighbours told us that they had heard an explosion, followed by a fire," he said. He added that the fridge, kitchen unit, beds, TV, money, clothes, ID, food, and furniture had been destroyed by the fire. Everything inside the house was burnt to ashes. The fire also damaged the roof and the walls of the house.
"I'm happy to be alive, although I'm highly disturbed by the incident. I think these are jealous people who believe in primitive ways of solving problems. I believe they will never escape the long arm of the law as they will never escape without being punished," he said. He estimates the damage at approximately R600 000.
For the time being, the homeless family members are staying with relatives. A plea was made to community members and the business sector to assist the family with building material to rebuild the house. "I want to repair the house, but it seems as if it will be difficult," said Muzila.
Limpopo police spokesperson Brig Motlafela Mojapelo confirmed the incident. He said an arson docket had been opened and a suspect, Tshamano Muzila (25), had been arrested. He appeared in court last Friday and his case was postponed.