By Umamah Bakharia 

Residents in Johannesburg’s northern suburbs are concerned after a number of houses were set alight in recent months.

It is believed that the arsonist breaks into homes, in some cases helping himself to food and then set the house alight. There are reports of cases in Hyde Park, Dunkeld and Illovo.

Radio Islam discusses this further with the founder of eBlockwatch, Andre Snyman says since November 2021, there have been at least 13 arson attacks that he is aware of.

According to Snyman, the arsonist attacks residents that are not home at the time of the crime and expensive homes.

“He’s got some firefighters or accelerants that quickly makes the house and lights at different spots,” says Snyman.

In one case, an old couple reported a break-in of their home to Snyman. However, as security was on their way, the arsonist was still at home, he locked the couple in a room and set the house alight. Fortunately, a neighbour broke a window and the couple were rescued.

Evidence claims that the arsonist is young and athletic built. Snyman says he believes that the arsonist gets a “kick” out of the fires as he suspects that the criminal watches the flames irrupting from homes.