MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The KwaNonqaba Police are investigating a case of housebreaking, assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm and arson, following an incident in Dyosi Street on Monday, 7 March.

According to witnesses, the incident took place early in the morning, at about 03:00. A man allegedly kicked down the front door to gain access to the property. 

There were four residents in the house at the time, a 54-year-old man, 30-year-old woman and two toddlers aged three and one year. He accosted the residents and stabbed a male resident of the house. 

The man then set fire to a room inside the house and fled.

A community leader, Vuyani Ngqawuza, speaking on behalf of the household, which includes underaged, orphaned children, said Fire and Disaster Management Services arrived in time to extinguish the fire before it could cause further damage to the property. 

The man who was stabbed, was taken to hospital.

Ngqawuza said a similar incident took place in 2018 at the same address, during which the entire house was destroyed. Ngqawuza told the Mossel Bay Advertiser that, in 2018, the motive for the destruction was jealousy between former lovers.

A man in his 20s was arrested and found guilty of this crime and consequently imprisoned. He is said to have been released from prison recently.

Following the destruction of the property in Dyosi Street in 2018, local businessman Khululekani Andreas Ngubeni assisted the family in rebuilding their home.

"It is tragic that the same house has been burnt. No one in that house works as they live on grant money. Where will they find help this time round?" said Ngqawuza

Warrant Officer Kappie Kapp, spokesperson of the KwaNonqaba Police, said an investigation was under way and that the police were following several tangible leads. No arrests have been made yet.

"We believe the suspect is hiding. The children who reside in that house are afraid. They don't know what the suspect's next step will be."

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