A Soweto man died after setting fire to his Kliptown, Soweto, home, police reported on Friday.
The man had locked himself and his family locked in the house, spokesperson Captain Mbazima Shiburi said.
The man’s wife, who managed to escape with minor burns, told police her 44-year-old husband had been drunk.
The couple allegedly had an argument on Thursday evening after the woman hid her husband’s cellphone.
The man became angry and locked everyone — himself, his wife, their five-year-old child and his sister-in-law — inside.
He allegedly poured petrol around the house and lit it.
”The woman, her child and her sister managed to escape with minor burns. The man was left behind and burned to death.”
Shiburi said the child, her mother and the aunt were being treated at the Chris Hani Baragwanath hospital.
Police have opened an inquest docket. — Sapa