“Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned,” the old English proverb states. In Vhembe, some people believe this is especially true, and they point to a suspected arson incident last Friday at Mutsha Tshiluvhi village as proof that women should not be angered.

The fire that destroyed the house and its contents broke out around 04:00. Luckily, no one was seriously injured, and all managed to escape the inferno in time. The damage is estimated to be well over R600,000.

Shortly after the fire was quelled, rumours started spreading that the fire may not have been accidental. One person who has her serious doubts is the owner of the house, Ms Thivhulawi Mangaladzi. She was not at home when the incident occurred.

“What I have gathered is that my son brought home a girlfriend and stayed with her for several days before he left her at home to return to his workplace. I disapproved of that setup as her parents did not know she was staying with us. I suggested that she go back home and that we would arrange everything as per protocol. I think that is when she saw red,” she said.

The distraught Mangaladzi said her young son told her he had heard the sound of matches in the bathroom, which was followed by a fire shortly afterwards. “My son said he tried extinguishing the fire but could not contain it. He managed to rescue his grandmother, who was trapped inside. Neighbours who arrived could not do anything as the house was already engulfed in flames. I do not know what to do now,” she said.

Ms Mangaladzi is convinced that the girlfriend had planned everything because she had taken her own belongings to safety before the fire started. “Nothing was saved from the house. My mother is left with the sleeping gown she was wearing, while my son is left with only his underwear. I do not even know where to start,” Mangaladzi said.

Community leader Cllr Taki Rave visited the family and arranged for some basic commodities such as clothing and food to be delivered to them. “This is a disaster, and I will liaise with Coghsta. Maybe they can assist by building the family a house as a matter of urgency,” he said.

Limpopo police spokesperson Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba confirmed the incident and said that they had opened an arson docket. “Anyone with information about the incident should contact the investigating officer, Sgt Rinah Tshimangadzo Ndou, on 082-3199622, or the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111,” he said.