The South African Police Service (SAPS) in the Eastern Cape is investigating a case of arson following an incident at the home of a ward councillor candidate for Ward 50 in Kariega on the night of Monday, 2 November 2026.
At approximately 22:35, police were summoned to a residence in Kariega, where it is alleged that a window was broken and petrol was poured into a room before it was set alight. A 17-year-old girl, who was asleep in the room at the time, woke up to the sound of the breaking window and detected the smell of petrol. She discovered that her room was on fire and attempted to extinguish the flames, but the fire spread. Other family members attempted to assist, but the fire engulfed a large part of the house, including the room adjacent to the daughter’s room.
The family, comprising the ward councillor candidate and four other family members, managed to flee the house, except for the daughter who sustained burn marks. She was transported to hospital by ambulance for medical attention.
Firefighters attended the scene together with various SAPS role players, including the Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC), Crime Intelligence, the Explosive Unit, Metro Police, and the Nelson Mandela Bay District Task Team.
The docket has been allocated to the NMB District Task Team for further investigation. No arrests have been made at this stage.
The SAPS takes this incident seriously and appeals to anyone with information that may assist the investigation to contact the investigating officer or Crime Stop on 08600 10111. Information may also be provided via the MySAPS App. All information will be treated with confidentiality.
Related: Ward Candidate’s Home Petrol Bombed
