Teen fighting for life after being set alight: teacher in court

The family of a 16-year-old boy who is fighting for his life in hospital after a teacher allegedly doused him with petrol and set him alight, are demanding that the man be denied bail.

The family say Bandile Mkutswana, 59, a teacher at an Ilinge school, who faces a charge of attempted murder, poses a threat to their son’s life, as well as the community’s safety.

During the shocking incident, which occurred about two weeks ago, teenager Anam Sishuba sustained third-degree burns after Mkutswana allegedly set him alight at Emahlubini, in Zingquthu.

Mkutswana had allegedly accused Anam and his friends of stealing his chickens in April this year.

He appeared in the Cacadu magistrate’s court on Monday, and the case was postponed until Tuesday for a bail application.

The tragic incident has left Anam’s family devastated and seeking justice.

Yongama Sishuba, Anam’s older brother, said Mkutswana posed a danger to his brother and the community, and should not be released on bail.

“On the day he burned my brother, my brother said he told him he was coming for the rest of them. My brother was badly burned; he has suffered thirddegree burns.

“He has to be fed and taken to the toilet because he cannot do anything for himself at this stage.

“When the people come in the ward he becomes jumpy and terrified and we have to calm him down and carefully explain to him who the person is,” a distraught Sishuba said.

He said Mkutswana had allegedly murdered someone in the village but “the case never got anywhere”.

“He also [allegedly] ran over a disabled man with a car but his [the victim’s] mother never opened a case against Mkutswana because she said nothing would happen to him.

“He is [allegedly] known for beating his wife and he knows where my brother is.”

On the day of the incident, Sishuba said his brother was returning from another village when he was summoned by Mkutswana, who then allegedly poured petrol on him at gunpoint.

“The teacher started a veld fire . . . and told him to jump in the fire,” Sishuba said.

“My brother ran in flames to a nearby house screaming for help, he got inside a taxi to hide while Mkhutswana pursued him.

“He [Mkhutswana] turned away when he saw boys approaching to come to help him [Anam].”

Sishuba said his brother and his three friends were beaten and disciplined by community members in April for stealing the chickens and that Mhutswana had taken a single shoe from each of them.

He said he could not understand why Mhutswana had taken further and such horrific action against his brother.

He said his devastated mother could not eat for days.

MEC Fundile Gade said in a press statement that the department was investigating the matter and had sent a team to provide support to the family, while the police were investigating the case.

Gade said strong action should be taken to send a stern warning and reminder to those given the task of protecting children.

“This incident is shocking and horrifying, especially in the context of one of our own who was expected to ensure child protection.

“We call for a speedy investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. We are relieved that the police have moved swiftly to arrest [the accused] so the matter can proceed,” Gade said.