Inquiry launched into consul-general's house fire

An inquiry has been launched following a blaze at the Mbombela home of South Africa's consul-general to China, Lassie Chiwayo, Mpumalanga police say.

Colonel Leonard Hlathi said the Friday blaze destroyed the garage of the property.

"A car, scooter (quad bike) and several items were destroyed in the fire," said Hlathi.

He could not say whether foul-play was suspected.

Chiwayo told The Sunday Independent he believed the attack was politically motivated as his rivals wanted to "send him a message."

"I don't believe this is just a crime because this is the fourth time my property is being attacked and [is happening along] with phone call threats telling me to get out of Mpumalanga. I tried to move on from Mpumalanga politics, but people don't stop," Chiwayo was quoted as saying.

Chiwayo, was serving as the mayor of Mbombela when municipal speaker, Jimmy Mohlala was gunned down in 2009.

Mohlala was killed a few days before he was meant to testify in a case related to alleged tender corruption in the Mbombela World Cup stadium.

At the time, Chiwayo apparently criticised the way police were dealing with such cases, reported the Sunday Independent.