[imagesource: Timothy Bernard / African News Agency (ANA)]

What started out as whispers and social media posts soon morphed into a terrifying ordeal for residents of Jozi’s upmarket northern suburbs.

An arsonist developed a reputation for observing his victims for days before he pounced, often cooking himself food and strolling around the house before starting a fire.

Those who fell foul of the man described him as a “total nutter” and the crimes began to take on a far more sinister angle, with one elderly couple locked inside their burning home and left to die.

In May, Houghton resident Risto Anjelopolj was attacked and locked in his house while it burnt. He was rescued but later passed away in hospital.

Finally, after almost two years of blazing his way through various suburbs, with at least 20 homes razed or partially damaged by a man using the same modus operandi, a suspect has been arrested with the assistance of his “lover”.

News24 below:

On Tuesday at 18:00, a team of police officers and private security guards apprehended him. The 36-year-old was found on foot in Emmarentia, carrying only a cellphone and a knife…

The suspect has a prior conviction for burglary. He was sentenced to seven years in prison, of which four years were suspended for five years.

Image: Supplied To News24 /SAPS

The suspect’s partner recognised him on CCTV images released by police to the public, said officials with knowledge of the investigation.

The woman reached out to André Snyman, who had shared the images across various social media platforms that report on crimes in the affected neighbourhoods, and he went to Fidelity ADT.

She told police she first thought her partner had a job that required him to work at night. Now, she believes he was actually out observing homes to potentially set alight:

She asked to remain anonymous for fear of retribution from her partner.

Meanwhile, the suspect caught wind that the authorities were closing in on him and made a threatening phone call to a Fidelity ADT member. He also threatened Snyman.

It’s also alleged that the suspect threatened to blow up one security company’s headquarters.

Clearly, we are dealing with a deranged person here. The suspect will appear before the Randburg Magistrate’s Court to face multiple charges.

One Sandton resident who had her house torched recounted the experience to News24. She says she was fortunate in that she was away when it happened:

[sources:news24&news24]