Tongaat man burns himself after finding wife in bed with brother
A 30 year old Tongaat man sets himself on fire in an attempt to take his own life following a family quarrel on Saturday evening.
The distressed man suffered serious burns after pouring a flammable substance over himself and then jumps in the road in a suicide attempt.
The Reaction Unit South Africa Tongaat Operations Center received a call from a motorist at approximately 20:05 reporting the extensively burnt man walking in the flow of traffic along the R102. The caller also stated that it appeared as if the man intended on stepping in front of an oncoming vehicle.
Reaction Officers were dispatched to search for the individual however he was located by Medics from a private ambulance service in the vicinity of the Buffelsdale entrance.
He was being treated for severe burns to his body which were self-inflicted.
A family friend alleges that the man had a serious quarrel with his brother and other family members after finding his wife in bed with his younger brother.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, the seemingly shocked witness blames alcohol and infidelity in the whole incident.
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“This (relationship) has been going on before these lockdowns and he (the victim) has been told on several instances but did not listen. He suspected his wife for a long time but he was waiting for a perfect moment to strike. We don’t blame him for taking his life because the whole family sided with the younger brother and the wife. We thank God he is still alive and also the medics responded quickly to the scene,” he said.
IPSS Medical Rescue spokesperson Paul Herbst said the man proceeded to walk down the R102, seemingly in the hope of being struck by a passing vehicle. IPSS conducted advanced life support on him as he had sustained critical burns to his entire body.