'Cheated' man arrested after torching girlfriend's house
An incensed 42-year-old Ntsweletau woman stormed into Molepolole police station on Saturday to report that her boyfriend torched and reduced to ashes her one-room house along with its furnishings.
The fire incident occurred on Friday night around 10:00pm and was reported the next day. The woman, who lives in Mokgalo Ward in Ntsweletau, was accused by her 39-year-old boyfriend of cheating with her ex-boyfriend.
On the day of the fire, the woman was reportedly seen with her former boyfriend and did not return home that night.
When her current boyfriend had checked on her and found her not in her home that night, he concluded the lady had gone to her ex-boyfriend's place. It was then that he allegedly set alight the one-room house, destroying everything inside.
Upon returning to her house the next day, the girlfriend discovered with shock that the one-room house had been burnt down. It was then that she immediately rushed to the police station to report the incident and named her boyfriend as the suspect, citing his recent accusation of her cheating.
Out of frustration and rage, the girlfriend directed the police to her boyfriend, who was subsequently arrested and charged with arson.
Assistant Superintendent Motshwari Mokamogo of Molepolole police confirmed the incident, stating that the suspect has admitted to burning the house due to his belief that the girlfriend was cheating on him.
Mokamogo lamented the frequent conflicts among unmarried couples in Molepolole and urged people never to take the law into their own hands when dealing with such disputes. He also mentioned that police investigations are ongoing to determine the furniture that was destroyed in the fire.
“People should learn to resolve conflicts well. They should focus on open and honest communication, actively listen to each other, and approach disagreements with calmness. They should also seek help from social workers and other community leaders,” Mokamogo counselled.