PICS: Ex-girlfriend arrested for burning down house in Limpopo, causing R500,000 damage
Image: SAPS
A 27-year-old woman has been arrested in connection with an arson incident that occurred at her former boyfriend's house at Steve Biko, in the Villa Nora policing area.
The arson attack happened on Friday morning, at around 5am, 25 July 2025, at about 05:00.
'According to the report, the male complainant was sleeping in his house when his ex-girlfriend knocked at the door, and he did not open,' said Limpopo provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Malesela Ledwaba.
'She started breaking the windows. He woke up and sought assistance from the neighbors, and that's when the suspect burned down the house.'
Police were called to the scene and opened a case of arson.
The police officers immediately commenced investigations, and the woman was successfully apprehended.
Police said the total damage caused by the fire is estimated at R520,000, 'including all belongings that were destroyed'.
The arrested woman is set to appear before the Phalala Magistrate's Court on Monday, facing a charge of arson.
The torched house
Image: SAPS
At the time, Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba said officers arrested a 46-year-old man in connection with an alleged arson attack that took place on March 20 at around 9 pm.
Mashaba stated that a 36-year-old woman from Homu Village was inside her shack when she allegedly heard her ex-boyfriend threatening to set it on fire. When she opened the door, she saw the suspect standing in her yard, holding a container — believed to contain petrol—and a box of matches.
He added that the woman escaped and hid nearby before the suspect could ignite the shack.
'The victim fled the shack and hid nearby. The suspect allegedly proceeded to puncture a JoJo water tank with a sharp object before pouring a flammable substance over the shack and setting it alight.'
Emergency services, including police and firefighters, rushed to the scene, but the blaze had already consumed the shack and belongings worth an estimated R20,000.
Mashaba also mentioned that charges of arson and malicious damage to property were swiftly filed.
'Cases of arson and malicious property damage were immediately opened, and the suspect, who resides in the same village, was swiftly apprehended. Preliminary investigations further revealed that the victim had an active protection order against the suspect,' he added.
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