The girlfriend of a 24-year-old Zimbabwean national was left confused and heartbroken after she watched emergency officials remove the charred remains of her boyfriend on Sunday.
The man is alleged to have committed suicide by setting his house alight. It is believed that the man hosted a party for the community of Thandanani, Verulam, on Saturday before taking his life.
Spokesperson for Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa), Prem Balram, who were one of the first responders, said they were contacted by neighbours after the man’s wood and iron home burst into flames with him inside. Balram said: “Rusa members were immediately dispatched and on arrival discovered the home completely gutted. The remains of the self employed tiler was discovered in the debris.”
Balram said, according to the man’s “intoxicated girlfriend”, the deceased purchased a large amount of meat and alcohol to host a braai that afternoon. “He partied throughout the night with the community and his girlfriend. The next morning he returned home and discovered his girlfriend in his bed. He informed her that he loved her and asked her to leave as he intended on ending his life. He then forced her out of the residence and locked the door. The informal home thereafter burst into flames. The deceased could be heard screaming for several minutes before the structure collapsed. The motive for the suicide was not immediately established.”
Communications officer for the Verulam SAPS, Captain Henry Kisten confirmed the incident and said the matter is currently under investigation. He said: “The matter was reported to the Verulam police station and an inquest was opened..”
