In less than a month of employment, a herdsman allegedly burnt down his employer’s house after a dispute over wages.
The incident reportedly followed deductions made from his pay for insecticide powder and veterinary drugs, which the disgruntled worker had previously used in an attempt to take his own life.
The herdsman had expected to be paid E500 for a week’s work. However, he felt shortchanged when his employer deducted a significant amount, including E200 for transport costs incurred when he was taken to hospital.
Additional deductions were made to cover the cost of the insecticide powder and livestock disease control medicines he had used during the suicide attempt.
Angered by the deductions, the man allegedly set on fire his employer’s house, destroying all her belongings and causing an estimated loss of E52 800. The incident occurred barely a day after he had attempted suicide following a quarrel linked to his absence from work without explanation.
The employer Bonisile Mtshali (61), who earns a living by selling goods at a nearby market, said the 33-year-old suspect had been hired on March 15.
He was later paid at the end of the month for the days he had worked and was allowed to return home for the Easter holidays before resuming duties.
On Monday, the suspect reportedly confronted his employer after being absent from work the previous day.
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An argument is said to have ensued, which led to him attempting suicide by ingesting insecticide powder and livestock medication.
He was rushed to a nearby healthcare facility, where he was treated and later discharged.
Upon his return, he allegedly demanded payment for the days he had worked after the Easter holidays, stating that he wanted to quit.
His wages were calculated at E500 but the employer deducted money to cover hospital transport and the substances he had consumed.
This reportedly angered the suspect, who is then alleged to have set the house alight while the owner was away.
Mtshali described Tuesday as one of the most traumatic days of her life, as everything inside her home was reduced to ashes. She said she discovered the suspected arson attack around 10pm.
She explained that no one was at home when the suspect allegedly broke windows and set the main house on fire using dry grass taken from a thatched hut, which he placed on a bed before igniting it.
All household items, including clothes and furniture, were destroyed in the blaze. The fire caused an estimated loss of about E52 800, with nothing salvaged.
Neighbours told investigators that the fire had started earlier at around 9pm.
Passengers in a passing public transport vehicle noticed flames and thick smoke from a distance and alerted the owner through a driver who knew her from Matsanjeni Health Centre, where she sells her goods.
The incident was reported to the police.
Acting Chief Police Information and Communications Officer, Assistant Superintendent Nosipho Mnguni confirmed the incident.
She said a suspect was already in police custody and that the 33-year-old accused is expected to appear in court soon.
