A Democratic Alliance (DA) councillor, Michael Buthelezi, has been arrested and charged with multiple counts of murder following the tragic deaths of his family in a house fire two months ago. His wife and three children perished in the fire while Buthelezi suffered severe burn wounds and was hospitalised.

PERISHED IN THE FIRE

In a statement released by DA KZN Provincial leader, Francois Rodgers, the party was shocked to learn about Buthelezi's arrest. "Shortly after the incident I visited Buthelezi in hospital and requested the KZN SAPS top brass to urgently intervene in what appeared in what appeared another senseless incident in KZN," he said. At the time, the DA blamed the police of not taking the case seriously and even said it was a deliberate attack on their councillor.

PRIME SUSPECT

Rodgers said that following investigations, he was informed by the provincial police commissioner, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, of Buthelezi's arrest after he was identified as a prime suspect in the police investigations. "The DA in the province has called for a thorough probe in the matter and for those involved to be held accountable, regardless. This is still our position and we further call for the law to take its course in this and other matters. The DA will now refer the matter to the party's Federal Legal Commission," he said.