A 46-year-old police sergeant based at Olievenhoutbosch police station in Gauteng, South Africa, has been arrested for allegedly attempting to murder his girlfriend by setting her home ablaze in Lyden village, Polokwane.
According to police, the incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday, July 10, when the officer reportedly arrived at his girlfriend’s residence around 2:30am and became enraged when she failed to respond to his knocking.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspect allegedly ignited the curtains, sparking a blaze that engulfed the two-roomed tin house. The woman sustained injuries in the fire but was rescued by neighbours, who quickly alerted the police and emergency medical services.
The officer was located and arrested on Friday. He is expected to appear before the Mahwelereng Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe praised the swift action of responding officers.
