Unimpressed with his mum’s choice of boyfriend, a hot-headed son is said to have eased his frustrations by setting fire to her house.
Charged with arson over the Tuesday 24 February blaze, Mmoloki Tsolope, 25, appeared before Molepolole Magistrates Court under close police escort, his hands handcuffed behind his back.
It is alleged the spark that lit his anger was the belief that his step-father was using his mother and wasting her money.
Tsolope reportedly voiced these concerns to his mum, repeatedly urging her to end the relationship; his temper boiled over when she refused.
According to Lekgwapheng Station Commander, Mothosera Busang, on the day in question, Tsolope’s step-dad came home to find the stove alight but nothing cooking.
“When the father asked him why he had lit the stove, the son reportedly took a piece of paper and set fire to the curtain. The father then went outside to call a neighbour to assist. When he returned to the house, he found the bedroom burning,” Superintendent Busang told The Voice.
Fortunately, neighbours managed to extinguish the fire before it engulfed the whole house.
However, the damage to the three-bedroom dwelling, located in Molepolole’s Lekgwapheng ward, was substantial, with Mma Tsolope’s bedroom completely destroyed.
The smoke and flames also ruined the roof, sofas and clothes.
Remanded in custody until 17 March, court instructed the state to take Tsolope to the Psychiatric Hospital to check his mental health.
