Update

GRAAFF-REINET NEWS  -  The girlfriend of the man (35) suspected of setting their shack at Vrygronde, uMasizakhe on fire, has withdrawn all her charges against the suspected arsonist. 

The alleged arson attack took place on the evening of 15 November. According to community members' posts on social media, the couple has reconciled and are once again living together.

SAPS has confirmed that the complainant in the arson case has dropped her case against the suspect, and it is now up to the National Prosecuting Authority to decide whether to prosecute or not.

According to provincial police spokesperson WO Majola Nkohli, it is believed that the fire followed a heated argument between the suspect and his girlfriend.

The suspect allegedly left the home after a verbal disagreement but returned with a bottle of paraffin. He allegedly poured paraffin on the furniture and set it alight. His girlfriend grabbed her child and ran out of the house that was destroyed.

When the Advertiser first spoke to the girlfriend on Wednesday 16 November, she was in shock and disbelief and had difficulty talking about the incident. She thanked the community for their kindness and was relieved that her three-year-old child had escaped unharmed.

Graaff-Reinet SAPS Local Criminal Record Centre's forensic experts and detectives are investigating the incident.

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