City to open case of arson

By Mikhaila Crowie
7 March 2009

The City of Cape Town will investigate a case of arson with the South African Police Service to assist with a forensic investigation to determine the cause of the devastating fires which has rocked the Western Cape over the past month.

Cape Town Mayor Helen Zille said in a statement that she has been informed by the Fire and Rescue Services and employees of Cape Nature that the recent fires in the Helderberg may be the work of arsonists.

There has been a huge increase in the number of fire-related incidents this year.

Spokesperson for the Mayor, Robert McDonald said anyone with information should come forward.

“The City was given a couple of devices that were clearly designed to start fires. One was a cigarette with matches tied to it which was left to smolder until the cigarettes burnt down to the match-head and then they ignite.”

The device was left in bushes near Somerset-West.

McDonald said another device was found in Simons Town area: A plastic bottle with a candle in it that was also designed to burn down and ignite a fire.

In another incident, McDonald said the City believes the fire was not accidental.

“The other evidence that we have is that the fires in the Boland area started at 4 places at once according to witnesses and that is definitely not something that you find with natural fires or with an accidental fire.”