Man in court for allegedly burning down building and killing compatriots

A Ugandan national appeared in in the Northam Magistrate’s Court in Limpopo on Wednesday for allegedly murdering two of his compatriots, Joshua Mutaasa, 33, and Rita Okelo, 30.

Sulaiman Kamya, 24, allegedly burnt down a building on the Wildebeeste Laagte outside Northam on January 4. It was too late to extinguish the fire when police arrived.

"Further attempts were made to rescue the people inside until they managed to gain entry by breaking the windows as all the doors were locked and subsequently, two people were found lying dead on the floor with serious burn wounds throughout their bodies," police spokesperson Constable Maphure Manamela said.

Police later arrested Kamya in Rustenburg and charged him with murder, arson and theft.

"During the arrest, the deceased’s motor vehicle was recovered at a chop shop in the Rustenburg policing area and also the following items belonging to the deceased were found in the possession of the suspect: cell phone, tablet, watch and house keys.”

Kamya will return to court on May 14.