- A Mpumalanga man set his wife and two children alight after a heated argument with his wife, police say.
- Both children died in hospital on Thursday and Friday respectively, while the mom is fighting for her life.
- The man is believed to have hanged himself after he heard that his children had died.
A woman is fighting for her life in hospital after her husband allegedly poured petrol over her and set her and her two children alight, after the couple had a serous argument in Zwelitsha, Nelspruit.
According to police, a 43-year-old man went into hiding after he allegedly set his family alight on Tuesday 10 November.
Neighbours came to the rescue of the family following the incident, which is believed to have occurred after an argument.
"Police were notified about the incident and upon arrival at the scene, a case was opened accordingly and they immediately launched a manhunt for the suspect," police spokesperson Colonel Donald Mdhluli said.
The woman and her children were rushed to hospital and were treated for severe burn wounds.
Mdhluli said that the two children - Karabo Shabangu and Nokubonga Shabangu, aged 9 and 11 - succumbed to their injuries in hospital on Thursday and Friday respectively.
"After news broke of their untimely death, the man was found on Friday hanging under a tree next to his parent's house," added Mdhluli.
He was certified dead on the scene.
Police are investigating two counts of murder, attempted murder, arson, and an inquest docket.
The police management in Mpumalanga has strongly condemned the incident and called for members of the public to seek assistance from social workers whenever they face challenges in their relationships, rather than resorting to ending one's life or those of their loved ones.
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