MOPANI – Five people were seriously injured in an alleged arson attack on a house at Ntsako Village near Letsitele on Monday night. According to the police, it is alleged that a love affair that turned sour could be the reason for the attack.

When going to press, the search for the man who had set the house alight was still continuing. The incident took place at about 23:30.

According to the spokesperson of the police in the Mopani area, Capt Moatshe Ngoepe, it is alleged that on Monday night the culprit proceeded to the Nkunas' kraal. At that stage, all the family members were fast asleep.

It is reported that, when he arrived at the house, he knocked at the front door. There was no response from the occupants.

The culprit tried to force the door open, but in vain. The statement further indicates that he later left the scene and went to fetch some petrol. On his arrival, it is alleged that he sprinkled some petrol all over the house and set it alight. He then ran away.

Five occupants of the house, Nora Nkuna (36), Nkosinathi Nkuna (6), Sifiso Shivuri (10), Nokuthula Shivuri (8) and Vonani Ngobeni (20), were all seriously injured in the incident. They were, according to the police statement, still in a critical condition in the Letaba Hospital at the time of going to press.

According to the police statement the culprit and one of the victims, Voani Ngobeni, had a love affair and that they had some differences during the past weeks. The police have appealed to anyone who has information relating to the incident to contact them at Tel 082 565 8360.