A 55-year-old widow, Sunitha Harrichander, is seeking help in rebuilding her home after it went up in flames following threats to “burn it down” if the alleged arsonist’s demands were not met by the Ardford pensioner.
A distraught Harrichander, said her worst nightmare became a reality when the Sunford family home was allegedly set on fire on Tuesday, 9 April. Speaking to the Phoenix Tabloid, Harrichander, said she was completely shattered and heartbroken to see her late husband’s hard work go up in flames.
She said the situation is traumatic as the suspect, who was arrested the day after the incident in Ottawa for allegedly starting the fire, is known to her. “My late husband who passed away in March 2021, spent months building this house and creating a home for us. He worked extremely hard to make our home a reality and to see our home in this condition is absolutely heartbreaking. Everything has been destroyed. From my clothes to appliances, the fire has burnt everything,” said Harrichander.
Harrichander said she was informed about the fire when her brother picked her up from her sister-in-law’s house, as she was spending time with them.
“I was at my home for the majority of the day and at around 4pm, I decided to go to my sister-in-law’s house. My brother dropped me off and later picked me up, there was no way to reach me because I didn’t have my phone. When he came back a few hours later, he informed me of what had happened.
“When I saw the state of my house I was traumatised. The roof was gone and the walls were starting to collapse. This was once a free-standing home and now I need over R450 000 just to bring it back to what it used to be. This is going to be extremely difficult as I am a widow. I am hoping that the community can assist me in rebuilding my home as I do not have the funding to make this possible. I am currently staying with my daughter and her in-laws as the house is uninhabitable. I am hoping that with the assistance of the community, I will be able to move into my home once again,” said Harrichander.
She added that investigations are ongoing in regards to the case, however, Harrichander said things are difficult as the suspect is known to the family. Her daughter, Kirthie Harrichander, 29, who is an educator, said she feels for her mom as it was her mother and father’s hard work that went into the building of the house.
She said: “It was a family home that was going to be for future generations to come, the saddest part of this incident is that the suspect had no respect for the home that he lived in and no regard for my widowed mom. I am upset that my dad is no more but in the same breath, I am grateful to God that he is not around to witness this destruction. It is very traumatising for my mom and myself but in this trying time we are hoping to find peace within us which is so not possible at the moment but we are hoping justice will prevail. My mom is currently living in fear.”
According to KZN VIP spokesperson, Gareth Naidoo, their members together with multiple other emergency services responded to the scene where the home was alight during the night, on Tuesday, 9 April. He said the fire department’s swift response, “even though there was water shedding and a lack of water”, managed to contain the blaze from spreading to other homes.
“No injuries were reported following the incident but the homeowner was highly traumatised as a known suspect was seen fleeing the residence shortly after the fire started. The female homeowner was assessed by KZN VIP Medics. The known suspect was later arrested for arson after being traced to a home in Ottawa, on 10 April.
“It was also established that the suspect made threats to the homeowner that he would burn the home should requests not be met. The suspect was cornered in the home and swiftly taken down by Phoenix SAPS and KZN VIP,” he added.
Comment from police had yet to be received by the time of print. According to the family, the suspect appeared at the Verulam Magistrate’s Court last week and was remanded in custody. He is due to appear this week, for bail application.
To assist Harrichander in rebuilding her home, contact her on 083 589 5450.
