The police are searching for a 29-year-old man who might be linked to a case of arson and murder after a house in Plange Mtiti village outside Malamulele was set on fire in the early hours of Sunday, 11 December.
Two women and their children were still inside the house, sleeping, when it was set alight and a three-year-old child died in the fire. The former boyfriend of one of the women is suspected of starting the fire.
According to Limpopo police spokesperson Col Malesela Ledwaba, the woman (23) was at home with her two children (aged two months and two years respectively), and her cousin and her two children (aged six days and three years respectively) the previous day (Saturday) when her ex-boyfriend showed up at the house. A heated argument allegedly ensued between them before he left the house.
"The following morning, at about 01:00, an unknown suspect broke a window at the house, sprinkled a flammable liquid substance, believed to be petrol, through the window and set the house alight. The suspect then fled the scene. The victims screamed for help, and they were eventually rescued by community members," Ledwaba said.
Ledwaba said a case of arson and six cases of attempted murder had initially been opened, but one was changed to murder after the three-year-old child had succumbed to her injuries. He said the motive for the incident was not readily known but that domestic violence could not be ruled out.
Community leader Mr Phineas Bilankulu said the community was still in shock. "What we gathered is that the woman did not want the man anymore. This is sad. Just imagine the cruelty of it; a man wanting to burn his loved ones in a house. As I speak, I am at the chief's palace and he is very devastated that a life was lost unnecessarily," he said.
The police are calling upon Mr Edward Chauke (29) of Gumbani to avail himself at the Malamulele Police Station or contact the nearest police station as he is believed to be able to help with the investigation.
Anyone with information about the incident should contact Col Edson Rikhotso on 082 565 7919, the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111, their nearest police station or use the MySAPSApp.