KNYSNA NEWS – Residents of Upper Old Place had one of the worst fears imaginable come true last weekend, as both of their vehicles were burnt right in their driveway on the night of Saturday 15 April.
Police have confirmed that a case of arson has been opened and is being investigated, but they are not able to confirm the exact cause of the fire yet.
Zelma Matthee, who lives in Kamassi Road, awoke on Saturday night to the horrific sight of her and her husband's cars, a Toyota Starlet and a Nissan Qashqai, both up in flames.
"I was asleep and at 23:20 it was like there were gunshots outside. I looked through the window and just saw smoke and flames," she says.
Another resident in the area also reported to have heard what sounded like gunshots around the time the incident took place, but there is no indication from police that any gunshots were fired.
Allsound Security was first alerted at 23:26 about the incident. Matthee says she was very scared and shouted hysterically, as she saw that the gutters of her house had also been melted in the fire.
Allsound was phoned again at 23:32 and it was around this time that the Knysna Municipality's Fire & Rescue Department was alerted and dispatched to douse the fire. After the blaze was extinguished, the two vehicles were towed away by Big D Towing, and the Matthee family was left reeling.
Southern Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Chris Spies confirmed the incident and opening of an arson case. "Those responsible are still at large. The motive for the arson is yet to be established. It forms part of the ongoing police investigation," he added.
The front of the Nissan Qashqai sustained severe damage.
The Toyota Starlet was severely damaged at the front of the vehicle.
A coincidence?
The setting alight and burning of Matthee and her husband's vehicles came only two days after Knysna-Plett Herald published an article in its 13 April edition about an ongoing settlement saga in Karatara.
The saga involves Matthee's mother, Martha Stander, and a group of alleged illegal squatters. Matthee has had to become the figurehead of the ensuing civil case, fighting the issue on her mother's behalf.
When asked about the potential link to the Karatara "illegal settlement" saga, Spies said, "There is no indication that this incident could be linked to matters referred in the enquiry. Investigation continues."
The engine bay of the Nissan Qashqai was severely damaged during the fire.
The driveway in which the two cars were parked also suffered significant damage.
The Nissan Qashqai as it was seen at Big D Towing the following day.
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