A 33-year-old man has been arrested after allegedly burning down his girlfriend’s two-room shack at Manavhela village in the Kutama area on 27 January.
According to reports, 36-year-old Ms Matodzi Mungoni was inside the shack with her three children when she allegedly heard her boyfriend threatening to set it alight. When she opened the door, she saw the suspect in her yard holding a container believed to contain petrol and a box of matches.
Fearing for herself and her children, Mungoni fled and hid nearby. Emergency services, including police and the fire brigade, responded, but the shack and property, valued at around R120,000, were completely destroyed.
A case of arson and malicious damage to property was opened immediately. The suspect, who resides in the same village, was swiftly apprehended. Mungoni had been in a long-term relationship with the man, who sometimes stayed at her shack.
She said the suspect allegedly set fire to her home after she ended the relationship. All the furniture, school uniforms for two learners, ID documents, groceries, and food were destroyed.
Mungoni described the relationship as abusive. “He beat me and forced me to do whatever he wanted in front of my children. I am still trying to figure out why he chose to burn down my shack,” she said, still in shock when visited by the newspaper on Sunday.
“This is very painful for the family. The house has been razed to the ground and nothing was saved,” she added.
Vhembe police spokesperson Warrant Officer Vuledzani Dathi confirmed that 33-year-old Fhulufhelo Mafela had been arrested. Mafela appeared in Tshilwavhusiku Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 2 February, facing a charge of arson. His case was postponed to 9 March for a possible bail application. Mafela was out on parole after previous convictions for burglary and possession of housebreaking equipment.
Mungoni has urged members of the public who can assist with school uniforms, clothes, or food to contact ward councillor Cllr Madidimalo Phuluwa on 082 421 9968.