The lone arsonist prowling Johannesburg’s northern suburbs setting fire to upmarket homes has struck again, this time in Oaklands.
After attempting to set fire to curtains in a home on Sunday night, only to be scared away by the homeowner, he struck again three houses down, this time locking a couple in their burning house with their own keys.
“We have urgently investigated the events of last night and are collecting information,” Sean Jammy of security company CAP’s leadership announced to clients.
“We have been tracking a suspect who appears to have a modus operandi similar to what was used last night. A single male who generally operates alone.”
According to CAP’s arson incident report, the suspect was on the prowl before the attacks.
Lee-Anne Schloss, a neighbour to the home set on fire and witness to what transpired, said it was generally believed the arsonist was prowling the suburb before striking. Footage of him strolling across a garden in the early hours has been shared with TimesLIVE.
“He was walking around properties and managed to get access to our backyard and set off the alarm,” she said, explaining how she and her husband called their security company to beef up their system and install an extra beam.
“On Sunday night he tried to burn the house three down from us by setting fire to their curtains at about 11.30pm before he was scared off and ran away,” she said.
After that he entered the home of her neighbours, an elderly couple who were asleep.
“He strolled around the ground floor, ate strawberries and helped himself to cash,” Schloss said.
“Then he set fire to a room downstairs and left through the front door, locking the couple in their house with their own keys.”
The CAP report stated: “In the early hours of the morning, one suspect trespassed at multiple properties before attempting to set fire to curtains in a property. . The first attempt was unsuccessful and the suspect jumped over an adjacent wall and broke into the neighbouring property where he stole small items and thereafter set fire to an unoccupied room in the downstairs section of the home. The victims were asleep upstairs and we are thankful they managed to get out of the house unharmed.”
Schloss said the couple woke with their house on fire and screamed for help. They hit panic buttons and security immediately responded.
“The wiring for the gate was melted so we had to force it open. Luckily we managed to help them get out. We tried to extinguish the fire t and that’s when we saw he had cut the hosepipe and had removed the tap connector,” said Schloss.
Jammy advised residents: “We would like to recommend that all residents ensure security systems are adequate, with exterior motion detection, and are used. Do not hesitate to contact our command centre on 0861 227 227, whether you are a CAP contributor.”
According to the arson incident report, the suspect is an African male believed to be in his 30s, of average height, with a normal-size build. He moves through his target area on foot and strikes late at night or in the early hours of the morning.
“He is known to be agile and easily manoeuvres over walls and fences and through skylights and windows.”
The advice to residents is to step up security, check it is in working order and make sure it is armed when necessary. It is suggested people “invest in fire safety equipment for your property and ensure family members and staff are briefed. This includes rooms fitted with smoke detectors and audible alarms.”
Robert Mulaudzi, Joburg’s emergency management services commander, said they were not aware of recent arson reports.
Head of community safety group eBlockwatch Andre Snyman is tracking the incidents, has been in touch with victims and security personnel and said there is no doubt there is a brazen arsonist prowling the city’s upmarket suburbs.
Security companies, reluctant to speak about their investigations on record, are in agreement there is a suspect using the same modus operandi linked to many arson attacks.
Wahl Bartmann, CEO of Fidelity, is running a tip-off line 083 939 0300 for anyone who has information relating to the events and has posted a R100,000 reward for details that lead to a successful arrest.
CAP has asked people to report any suspicious activity to them on 0861 227 227.
TimesLIVE
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