A 45-year-old man and 11-year-old boy burned to death, while a 77-year-old woman was admitted to hospital with serious burns on Saturday, February 3.

According to regional police spokesperson Supt Ailwei Mushavhanamadi, a man became angry with his lover and stormed to her house at Maniini Village with a container full of petrol.

Although he could not find his lover there, he did find the woman’s mother there and forced her into the house. The man started pouring petrol over the woman and a struggle ensued. During the struggle, petrol also spilled over the enraged man.

The elderly woman managed to escape the man’s grip and ran into a room where her 11-year-old grandchild was sleeping. The man followed her and started pouring petrol over the boy. He then lit a match and both he and the boy caught fire. The two were burnt beyond recognition.

Supt. Mushavhanamadi said that the elderly woman sustained serious burn wounds. He said that Thohoyandou police have opened a murder, an attempted murder and an inquest docket.