A 28-year-old woman from Marikana, Mpumalanga, is set to appear in the Emalahleni Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 29 August 2023, following her arrest on Monday for an alleged arson attack on her own home, with her seven-month-old daughter inside.
Marikana woman makes first court appearance for arson attack on baby
As reported by Jaca News, the incident occurred in the Vosman informal settlement during the early hours of Sunday morning.
According to Mpumalanga police spokesperson Selvy Mohlala, emergency services were alerted about a shack engulfed in flames at Marikana in Extension 16.
Upon arrival at the scene, authorities discovered a group of people deeply disturbed by the tragic event, as the fire had consumed the innocent toddler.
Initial investigations suggest that the child’s parents had been engaged in a violent argument.
The husband subsequently left the premises, during which time the mother allegedly set the shack on fire.
The presence of a group of outraged onlookers prevented further harm to the mother, who had been whisked away from the burning shack.
Mohlala revealed that there were allegations that the mother was under the influence of alcohol when she initiated the fire.
Community members had noticed the blaze before authorities arrived, and their screams prompted the rescue of the woman.
Tragically, after extinguishing the fire, the charred remains of the child were discovered amidst the rubble.
The identity of the woman will be made public when she appears in court on Tuesday, where she is expected to enlist the services of a private or state-funded legal representative.
This is a developing story.