WATCH | Mpumalanga SAPS van torched in Thulamahashe | Mpumalanga News

A man believed to be mentally unstable was arrested after he had allegedly set a police van on fire in Thulamahashe earlier today, Saturday, January 18.

The van was parked outside the Mhala Police Station. Some officers were inside at the time, attending to some matters.

It is unknown exactly what he used to start the fire.

@lowvelder

A man believed to be mentally unstable was arrested after he had allegedly set a police van on fire in Thulamahashe earlier today, Saturday, January 18. The van was parked outside the Mhala Police Station. Some officers were inside at the time, attending to some matters. It is unknown exactly what he used to start the fire. However, “He threatened to burn any officer who would dare come outside,” said an eyewitness who asked to remain anonymous. “The man also shouted and broke into laughter, telling the police that he would burn them up just like he had done the van.” Some armed members of the police rushed out of the station. “Unfortunately they did not have a fire extinguisher, but they tried to use soil to out the fire, which did not help. As usual, there was no water in Thulamahashe, otherwise they might have been able to use it to save the van,” said another witness. She said the man tried to run away, but the cops chased after him and caught him. “We can confirm that a police state vehicle was set on fire today at about 15:00. A suspect has been arrested, but there is a belief that he may not be mentally stable,” said a provincial police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane. She explained that it was the second time this same suspect had set a Mhala police vehicle on fire. “He was arrested in the first incident and was released on bail.” Ndubane was not able to supply the paper with the bail amount or the dates of the suspect’s next court appearance in the matter of the first vehicle. The estimated damage to this second vehicle is not yet available, either. The suspect is expected to appear in the Mhala Magistrate’s Court on Monday, January 20, to face charges of damage to property. #saps #mpumalangatiktok

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However, “He threatened to burn any officer who would dare come outside,” said an eyewitness who asked to remain anonymous.

“The man also shouted and broke into laughter, telling the police that he would burn them up just like he had done the van.”

Some armed members of the police rushed out of the station.

“Unfortunately they did not have a fire extinguisher, but they tried to use soil to out the fire, which did not help. As usual, there was no water in Thulamahashe, otherwise they might have been able to use it to save the van,” said another witness.

She said the man tried to run away, but the cops chased after him and caught him.

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“We can confirm that a police state vehicle was set on fire today at about 15:00. A suspect has been arrested, but there is a belief that he may not be mentally stable,” said a provincial police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane.

She explained that it was the second time this same suspect had set a Mhala police vehicle on fire. “He was arrested in the first incident and was released on bail.”

Ndubane was not able to supply the paper with the bail amount or the dates of the suspect’s next court appearance in the matter of the first vehicle.

The estimated damage to this second vehicle is not yet available, either.

The suspect is expected to appear in the Mhala Magistrate’s Court on Monday, January 20, to face charges of damage to property.