A 60-year-old man appeared in the Blue Downs Magistrate’s Court on charges of arson and three counts of murder following a fire that claimed the lives of three people, including a four-year-old child, in Wallacedene, Kraaifontein.

The incident happened in the early hours of August 13, 2025.

At about 00:45, police and emergency services were called to a shack in New Rest squatter camp that had been destroyed by fire. Inside, the bodies of a 58-year-old woman, a 56-year-old man, and a four-year-old child were discovered.

An inquest docket was initially opened as the cause of the fire was unclear.

Detectives from the Provincial Serious and Violent Crime Unit, working with Kraaifontein SAPS, later uncovered evidence pointing to arson.

Their investigation led to the arrest of the 60-year-old suspect on Wednesday.

Western Cape police spokesperson Colonel André Traut confirmed the breakthrough.

“The relentless efforts of our detectives ensured the arrest of a 60-year-old suspect on charges of arson and three counts of murder. He appeared in the Blue Downs Magistrate’s Court,” Traut said.

Community members claimed that the accused had locked the victims inside the shack before setting it alight.

It is believed that jealousy may have been the motive, as the accused allegedly suspected his partner of having an affair.

“It was out of a jealous rage that he did that; he had suspected that his partner was having an affair with another man,” the community member explained.

“He locked them inside while the woman’s grandchild was in there and the person he thought she was cheating with. And allegedly set the shack alight.”

Among those killed were the woman’s grandchild and the man the accused believed she was involved with.

The South African Communist Party in the Western Cape also reacted to the incident.

Provincial secretary Benson Ngqentsu said: “This is devastating. We went to the crime scene with MPLs and councillors to witness the extent of the tragedy. We will be attending the court proceedings and will call for a thorough investigation into what happened.”

Ngqentsu added that residents had been encouraged to support the families of the deceased through their presence in court.

“This community has been shattered. We are calling on everyone to stand with the victims’ families and ensure justice is done,” he said.

The accused is in custody as police continue their investigation. He is scheduled to return to court on August 22 for legal representation.

The State is expected to oppose bail when the matter resumes.

mandilakhe.tshwete@inl.co.za

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