African National Congress, ANC, Mpumalanga building, arson, fire, blaze

The ANC Mpumalanga building was set alight and police have arrested a 60-year-old man. Photo: @AdvoBarryRoux / Twitter

ANC Mpumalanga building: Man, 60, arrested for allegedly starting blaze

After the African National Congress Mpumalanga building was set alight, police managed to arrest the suspect who allegedly started the blaze.

African National Congress, ANC, Mpumalanga building, arson, fire, blaze

The ANC Mpumalanga building was set alight and police have arrested a 60-year-old man. Photo: @AdvoBarryRoux / Twitter

The office of the ANC’s Mpumalanga building was set alight on Thursday, 17 March. A 60-year-old man has now been arrested in connection with the incident. The spokesperson for the SAPS in Mpumalanga revealed that the man was arrested in Masoyi.

SAPS Mpumalanga spokesperson addresses the matter

Brigadier Selvy Mohlala stated that the man allegedly walked into the office in the morning. He stated that his complaints were not addressed and demanded to speak to the liaison officer there.

“It is alleged that the suspect came to the office of the ANC in the morning, alleging that his complaints were not attended to and he wanted to speak to the liaison officer.”

At the time of the suspect’s request, the liaison officer was unavailable, reports IOL.

How did the suspect start the blaze?

Brigadier Mohlala described what followed after the man’s attempt to speak to the liaison officer at the ANC Mpumalanga building.

“He became furious and reportedly took out a two-litre bottle filled with petrol from his bag. He then started to pour petrol over the employees who were present as well as over the office and set them alight then walked away.”

Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, SAPS Spokesperson

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Brigadier Mohlala shared that three offices in the building were damaged by the unexpected fire. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries at the Mpumalanga building injuries.

While the total damage that occurred is still unknown the suspect is expected to appear in court, according to Mohlala.

Only part of the Mpumalanga building was damaged

Spokesperson for the ANC in Mpumalanga Sasekani Manzini cleared the air on the damages that occurred. According to Manzini, it was not true that the entire January Che Masilela building was burnt.

She explained that just part of the Mpumalanga building faced damages. Manzini revealed that the man who allegedly committed the crime walked into the office as a “harmless person”. Adding that the incident was extremely unexpected.

“It was like something no one expected hence the manner in which he was treated. It was like the ordinary way that people normally do,” she said.

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