Bitter and jealous lover burns girlfriend’s house

A 34-year-old man from Bokaa ward in Mahalapye has been arrested for arson and attempted murder after he allegedly set his girlfriend’s house on fire out of jealousy. The incident happened early Friday morning in Xhosa 2, Meselane ward, Mahalapye, where the 35-year-old woman lives in a council house.

She had allegedly spent the night at her new boyfriend’s place, while the ex-boyfriend waited for her outside the house in the cold. According to Mahalapye Central Police Station Commander,

Superintendent Meshack Ranku, the couple disagreed earlier that day. On Friday morning, when the woman returned home, she found the man waiting at the gate. She quickly entered the house and locked herself in the sitting room.

The man allegedly broke one of the windows, poured a substance suspected to be petrol into the house, and set it alight. “The woman managed to escape from the burning house and was taken to Mahalapye Hospital, where she remains in a stable condition,” Ranku said.

He added that a 20-litre container with a petrol-like liquid was recovered at the scene. The suspect has been arrested and is expected to appear before the Mahalapye Magistrate Court on Monday, charged with arson and attempted murder. Ranku said the value of the destroyed property has not yet been determined. Investigations are still ongoing. In another incident on Friday afternoon in

Boseja ward, a 44-year-old man was stabbed in his home during a quarrel with a known individual. The suspect allegedly used a sharp object in the attack and fled the scene. The victim is receiving medical care at Mahalapye Hospital and is said to be in a stable condition.

Police are continuing with investigations, and anyone with information about the suspect’s whereabouts is urged to contact the nearest police station.