Irate lover sustains burns in arson act

Bonte Seepi | Tuesday March 15, 2016 15:19

According to Mahalapye Police station commander, Superintendant Isaac Mamadi, the suspect and his 29-year-old girlfriend went to a friend’s baby shower before proceeding to a nearby bar where their misunderstanding started.  The woman works as a cleaner at Kalamare Primary School.

He said preliminary investigations suggest that the man suspected that his girlfriend was cheating on him with another man who was at the bar and he started harassing her.

“The two then chased each other until the woman reached her parents’ home where she stayed.  Their quarrel continued and the suspect then assaulted the woman. 

 “According to what we were told by those who witnessed the incident, the girlfriend managed to escape the scene without any major injuries.  However, after she fled the scene the man allegedly burnt her room, catching fire in the process,” said Mamadi.

The station commander said the suspect managed to come out of the house, but later collapsed as a result of the severe burns.  He was taken to Nyangabgwe Referral Hospital (NRH) where he is recuperating.

Mamadi further revealed that property in the woman’s house including a bed were worth P9,600.

He said they have since charged the suspect with malicious damage of property and assault, but said that might change, as their investigations are still ongoing.

Mamadi said the brother to the 29-year-old woman might also be charged with assault for allegedly beating the suspect.

“We are yet to interview the suspect, but it turns out that he was assaulted by the woman’s brother,” said the police chief.