Genevieve Serra|Published
A Mitchells Plain family is grieving their losses after a neighbouring house fire caused extensive damage to their home.
A section of their Honolulu Street home in Tafelsig, Mitchell's Plain, was razed, resulting in the death of a family cat and leaving relatives traumatised.
Last week, the Weekend Argus reported on community leaders’ call for assistance for matric learner Andrea Geduld, whose family was left homeless after their home was allegedly burnt by her uncle, Lee Roy Geduld, who has schizophrenia.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Frederick van Wyk confirmed that Geduld had been charged with arson and appeared in court.
Geduld’s mother, Nerina Sampson, said her son had schizophrenia and called on the State to provide him with detention and support.
Fire follows earlier report about Geduld family
Following the publication, the family’s neighbour came forward to explain that they had also suffered significant losses, including the death of one of their cats in the fire.
They claimed it was not the first time Geduld had allegedly tried to set his family home alight.
“On the evening of 28 September 2026, a devastating fire was intentionally set at the semi-detached property next door by the neighbour’s relative, Lee Roy Geduld,” the Ramedies family said.
“The fire spread rapidly, engulfing our property and causing catastrophic structural damage.
“The sections of my mother’s property that did not burn were severely waterlogged and ruined by the responding fire department’s containment efforts.
“In the chaos, our two beloved cats were trapped. While one managed to flee and fortunately returned in the early hours of the morning, our second cat tragically suffocated and died from smoke inhalation.
“Our pet, Tiepie, who was adopted 10 months ago, was discovered only after the flames had been doused, leaving our entire family grieving the loss of a dear family member.”
The family said their relative, who is in Grade 10 at Oval North School, had also been affected by the blaze after his school supplies and uniform were covered in soot.
Neighbouring family shares its experience
“He is deeply traumatised by this event, which has been made worse by the immense stress of his approaching final examinations,” the family said.
The family added that they had suffered smoke inhalation and had not received immediate medical attention on the day of the incident.
They also claimed that Geduld had a history of violence, but despite many incidents exacerbated by alleged drug abuse, violence, stabbing and assault, the recent fire has added to their traumatic experiences.
The family said this was not the first incident in which Geduld attempted to set alight his family home.
“During a previous alleged arson attempt, my mother had to intervene physically to help douse the flames. The community, including my mother, had repeatedly warned his family that he posed an immediate threat to life and property,” a spokesperson for the Ramedies family said.