In an unusual and tragic incident at Tshakhuma last week, a wayward son allegedly set fire to his family's seven-room house, completely destroying it. The fire also claimed the life of his 91-year-old grandmother.
The incident, which is still the talk of the community, occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, 27 November. Family spokesperson Mr Ntshavheni Makhado said he had received a phone call just after midnight, informing him of the tragedy.
"I rushed to the scene to find police, firefighters, and a large group of community members. I entered the house and saw that nothing had been saved. The most tragic sight was the body of my aunt, Ms Masindi Mudau. I was told that the fire was started by her grandson. It is said the whole incident was sparked by a fight over food," he said.
Makhado explained that the young man had allegedly returned home highly intoxicated. He demanded food, and his father gave him the keys to where the food was stored.
"The father's mistake, it seems, was asking for the keys back. That's when the young man chased him away with a knife. The father sought refuge at a neighbour's house, and the son went back home. Shortly after, neighbours noticed the house was on fire," he said.
According to Makhado, the elderly woman, Ms Masindi Mudau, lived with her unemployed son and grandson. "She was the sole breadwinner, supporting the family with her pension grant," he said.
Makhado said the young man had caused significant distress to the family in the past. He had allegedly terrorised family members and spent time in jail. "Now we have lost our beloved aunt because of this spoiled brat. We are in deep grief, and the pain cannot be expressed. We must now prepare for her burial with no budget at all. There is no home anymore—the house is damaged and at risk of collapsing. We are left with nothing and are depending on the goodwill of the community and good Samaritans," he said.
Community leader Mr Odley Nyamande expressed the community's shock. "We visited the family on Thursday, and what we saw was devastating. The boy is said to be deeply involved in drugs and alcohol. As community leaders, we strongly condemn this incident and the boy's behaviour. We are raising future leaders with no respect, and this is a serious concern. We also hold businesses selling alcohol and drugs to our youth accountable. We appeal to businesses and individuals to assist the family - they are in dire need as nothing was spared in the fire," he said.
Vhembe SAPS spokesperson W/O Vuledzani Dathi confirmed the incident, saying a 23-year-old man had been arrested for allegedly setting the house on fire while his grandmother was inside.
"The suspect, Phindulo Innocent Mudau, appeared in the Vuwani Magistrate's Court on Thursday, 28 November, on a murder charge. Police investigations are ongoing," he said.