[imagesource: Facebook / Shelley Browner]

It appears that the fears of residents in the upmarket Jozi suburbs of Hyde Park, Dunkeld, and Illovo, were well-founded.

Earlier this month, a Facebook post set off alarm bells as residents spoke of multiple homes being torched.

The arsonist, acting alone, would raid the fridge and leave his mark by defecating in the home, which has reportedly been captured on CCTV cameras.

Stealing very little (and sometimes nothing), he would then set the home alight.

Neighbourhood watch groups and security groups were said to be putting together “a catalogue of information” regarding the arson attacks. Just a few days after that report, the arsonist struck again.

IOL reported on a fire that took place on Thursday, April 7:

…it appeared he struck again, this time setting a double-storey house alight in lower Houghton.

A security guard was able to save the elderly owner when he broke the door down to the room where he had been locked in. The owner had been beaten up and had to be taken to hospital.

The fire caused extensive damage. It is believed that this his second arson attack in a week and the latest in a crime spree that possibly began two years ago.

Although he is careful to avoid detection, CCTV images show “a slim, clean-shaven man with a dark complexion, who is possibly in his mid-20s”.

One resident, who says their property was targeted early last year, described him as “a total nutter”:

“He basically jolled in my house for two and half hours.”

…Before entering the house the man had climbed onto the roof where he sat for several hours in the early morning drinking a six-pack of ciders he had brought with him.

He then broke a window and sneaked into the house as the family slept. Opening the fridge, he took a jar of sun dried tomatoes and smeared some of it on the curtains.

He’s even been known to cook a meal inside the homes, as well as urinate into bins.

The latest development is a R100 000 reward offered by Fidelity Services Group for any information which leads to the arrest and conviction of the alleged arsonist.

Over to TimesLIVE:

Wahl Bartmann, CEO of Fidelity Services Group, said over the past 16 months homes in Bryanston, Houghton, Dunkeld, Illovo, Hyde Park and surrounding areas have reported fires which may be linked to an alleged arsonist.

Bartmann said Fidelity will be following up on all leads in the hope that if the fires are linked, the arsonist can be brought to book…

“We are hoping with additional resources and manpower deployed and the incentive offered, this will encourage anyone with authentic information to step forward and lead to a successful arrest,” Bartmann said.

If you have any information, you can call the tip-off line on 083 939 0300.

The Clifton Pooper was bad, but this arsonist is far, far worse.

[sources:iol&timeslive]