TEACHER’S HOME, ITEMS DOUSED WITH PETROL, BURNT

MANZINI – A high school teacher has been left with only the clothes on his back, after unknown arsonists burnt his house to the ground.

Ngwane Park High School teacher Sikelela Mhlanga watched sorrowfully while his family home at Makholweni in Fairview was gutted by a raging fire on Sunday night.

Mhlanga escaped unharmed as sources close to the matter said he was not home when unknown arsonists drove into his home and started the fire, using petrol as an accelerant.

Although the exact value of the valuables damaged and left to burn to ashes could not be immediately ascertained, the confirmed figure revealed to the authorities was said to be over E200 000.

According to sources close to the matter, Mhlanga had gone out with friends when he received a phone call from his neighbours, who informed him that his family home was on fire.

Upon his arrival, Mhlanga is said to have stood near a tree and raised and placed his hands on his head as he watched his family home being consumed by the raging flames.

During a visit to Mhlanga’s home yesterday, a strong smell of petrol permeated the air, while a few of the belongings barely salvaged from the fire were scattered in front of the house. 

Some of the belongings included marking scripts. 

Mhlanga’s relatives were found sitting under a tree, discussing family issues pertaining to the family home. As this reporter asked about Mhlanga’s whereabouts, his relatives pointed to another home, where Mhlanga was seen enjoying alcoholic beverages.

However, he refused to entertain questions from this reporter. Instead, he requested his elder relative to answer questions on his behalf as he was not in the right state of mind as a result of the incident.

Unlocked

According to Mhlanga’s relative, who preferred to comment on condition of  anonymity, it was a known fact that during the weekends when Mhlanga left to enjoy alcoholic beverages at his favourite watering hole, he would leave the gate and house unlocked. 

Mhlanga’s relative recalled that he received a phone call at about 10pm on Sunday, stating that the family home was up in flames. 

“When I arrived on the scene, the house was engulfed in flames and there was nothing anyone could have done to stop the fire. It was only when the National Fire and Emergency Services personnel arrived that the fire was extinguished,” he said.

Although it could not be ascertained the model of the vehicle driven by the arsonists, Mhlanga’s relative said eyewitnesses told the family that the car drove into the yard, and an unknown person(s) was seen entering the house.

A few minutes after the suspect had driven out of the yard, smoke could be seen billowing through the windows, with raging flames licking the evening air.

Mhlanga’s relatives attested to the fact that he was at a great loss, as he only had the clothes he was wearing when he come back last Friday.

The only thing that was salvaged from the fire was one of his sofas, some of his pupils’ schoolwork and a blanket, which had a strong smell of petrol. When this reporter entered the house, all that could be seen at face value was rubble. 

Upon further inspection, some of the items including a television set which was mounted on the wall, sofas, school books/ papers, bed frames and cooking utensils, were extremely damaged by the fire, such that it was difficult to make out what the items were before they were burnt.

Mhlanga’s relatives further said it appeared as though the suspects doused his living room, bedroom, bath room and kitchen with petrol, while the only room left barely untouched was his late grandmother’s bedroom. 

Mhlanga’s family appealed to members of the public to provide financial assistance towards replenishing some of  his valuables, emphasising that the only clothes he had were the ones he was wearing. “He could use all the assistance he could get during this time. On his behalf, we are appealing to the public to assist him with blankets, food, clothing and other items to bring back the dignity to his family home,” the relatives pleaded.

Police

During a telephonic interview with the area’s Bucopho, Petros Thwala, he confirmed that the matter was handed over to the police after the report reached his office on yesterday.

He condemned the actions of the suspects connected to the matter, stating that those responsible would be dealt with, by the retributive arm of the law.

“I would also like to urge community members who feel they have issues with their neighbours, to approach my office for mediation purposes to avoid such painful and irreversible situations. The issues should have been resolved amicably, not in such a violent manner,” he said.

Thwala further pleaded with the nation to assist Mhlanga, as he said he had been left with nothing and could use all the help he could get during this difficult time. 

He stated that he was confident that the police would assist with the investigations, with the suspects being brought to book timeously.

Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Superintendent Phindile Vilakati confirmed that there was a report of an arson attack at Makholweni on Sunday evening. “However, no arrests have been made yet as the matter is still under investigations,” she said.

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