’Druggie son burnt my house down’
A desperate dad from Heideveld is pleading for help after his drug addicted son set his home alight after an argument.
Faried January, 58, has been left with nothing but the clothes on his back after his 28-year-old son gutted his home on Monday night after he demanded money for drugs.
The frail father says he has been struggling with his son for many years, and despite several attempts to get him rehabilitated, he continues to terrorise him.
The crying man says he is still in shock after the incident and has opened a criminal case against his son.
“On Monday I got work from a neighbour,” says January.
“I am unemployed and struggling here on my own but this guy I know who does electrician work came to me and said he has a casual job for me for a few days so I could earn something.
“So Monday I went to work with him and when I came home the argument started.”
January says as he arrived at home, his son demanded money so he could buy drugs, but when he explained he would only be paid once the job was complete his son became enraged.
“I told him there is almost no money for food and I did not get paid yet but he became angry and started threatening me.
“He has attacked me before and so I was scared. He has broken a glass over my head, beats me with sticks and even bricks.”
The frightened father ran to a neighbour for help but says while telling them what had happened, his son casually walked by saying: “Gaan kyk jou huis brand (Look, your house is on fire).”
“I thought he was joking but I ran home and got a fright when I saw the flames coming out of the windows.
“I am so heartsore. I have nothing left and I can’t believe he did this. The firefighters came out and put out the fire and he ran away. I don’t even know what he used to start the fire.”
Police spokesperson, Sergeant Noloyiso Rwexana, confirms that a case of arson is being investigated after the home in Katberg Road was set alight.
Manenberg police confirmed the son has been arrested and will appear in Athlone Magistrate's Court soon on arson charges.
January says kind neighbours offered him a place to sleep on Monday and he returned home the next day to salvage what he could.
“After all these years, he stole everything in the house and now the fire destroyed everything.
“I am begging for help for my son so he can be rehabilitated because I cannot go on like this anymore.”
If you would like to help Faried January in any way, contact Wagieda on 061 993 2667.