Arsonist Apprehended/Assaulted: Mahlabatini - KZN

A 31-year-old Arsonist was apprehended and assaulted by residents of Mahlabatini - KZN today (Friday). 

Members of Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) were called out by the community after they conducted their own investigation and apprehended the man. On arrival, Reaction Officers found the community assaulting the man. 

It was established that a female was consuming alcohol at a friend’s house during the early hours of this morning. The man approached her and requested to join them. The woman declined and assaulted him after he persisted. 

He left and proceeded to her house which was unoccupied. He opened a bedroom window before he set a piece of paper alight and threw it on a bed. Neighbours noticed smoke and proceeded to the house. They found the male fleeing the property. The fire was contained to a bedroom and was extinguished by residents. 

The mob of approximately twenty (20) people conducted their own investigation and tracked the suspect to his home in Mahlabatini - KZN a few hours later. They began assaulting the male and contacted the RUSA Operations Centre for assistance. 

During an interview, the accused informed Reaction Officers that he set the house alight (picture 4) because the female refused to share alcohol with him. 

He was restrained and detained at SAPS Verulam.