Community members in Seymour in the Eastern Cape made a citizen’s arrest on Tuesday following the death of five people in an alleged arson attack.
A police spokesperson Colonel Sibongile Soci says a community member allegedly saw the 32-year-old suspect setting the fire.
The suspect’s 30-year-old girlfriend, her 46-year-old mother, her 24-year-old sister and her five-month-old nephew died in the fire, including a 34-year-old pastor who was in the house at the time.
Colonel Soci says the suspect was handed over to the police and he is expected to appear in the local Magistrates Court soon.
He will be charged with five counts of murder including arson.
Police would not speculate on the motive of the incident.
On Tuesday, a delegation from the provincial government, including two MEC’s and the mayors of Amathole District Municipality and Raymond Mhlaba Local Council, visited Seymour on Tuesday.
Mayor Bandile Ketelo who was part of the delegation urged communities to remain calm and stop abusing alcohol.
He said Government would not tolerate any violence targeting women, children and vulnerable groups during the national lockdown.
