A suspect who has been on the run from the law for more than a year after allegedly setting his ex-girlfriend's house on fire was finally tracked down and arrested by the Vhembe Trio Task Team in Pretoria.
In February 2022, Godfrey Mmbangiseni Bebeda allegedly set Tshinanne Siobo's house on fire while she and her two children were asleep. Siobo, a 38-year-old mother, and her children suffered severe burns and were hospitalised. However, her 10-year-old son succumbed to his wounds.
Bebeda fled the area soon after the incident and had been on the run ever since. Meanwhile, Siobo and her daughter, who were left homeless after their home was burnt down, have been renting a room in a secret location, fearing for their lives. Siobo accused the police of putting their lives at risk by not arresting Bebeda.
An intelligence-led operation was activated in Pretoria by the SAPS' Trio Task Team in the Vhembe District, Pretoria Moot Detectives, and the National Investigating Unit. According to police reports, the suspect was traced and eventually arrested at around 14:00 on 1 July while he was in hiding on a farm in Cullinan, in the Gauteng Province.
Bebeda was charged with murder, attempted murder, arson, and theft. He appeared in the Dzanani Magistrate's Court on 3 July and was remanded in custody. He will appear again on 25 August for further police investigations.
The news of his arrest was followed by wild celebrations as Siobo, her relatives, and friends gathered in jubilation. "We have a reason to celebrate. The past year has been hell for us, and we were forced to rent a room in a secret location, fearing for our lives. Mr. Collen Mashawana built us a decent house, but we could not move in as we feared he (Bebeda) would find us and finish us off this time. Now that he has been arrested, we can move on with our lives. We hope that he will rot in jail for his crimes," said a very relieved Siobo.