Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

3-minute read
27 July 2023 | 21:26 CAT

The police previously released photographs of the alleged arsonist. Image: SAPS/ Facebook.

The man who is the main suspect in terrorising residents in the northern suburbs for two years, torching 24 plus homes with at least one death, has explained his motive. Thirty-six-year-old Alfred Ndodenye Maputha is awaiting trial after his October arrest. He was also a peeping tom who watched couples during their intimacy.

Radio Islam International spoke to eblockwatch CEO Andre Snyman, who helped track him down and had a couple of candid phone calls with Maphutha from prison about his activities.

Andre tracked down Maphutha for two years, who created a lot of mayhem, anxiety and murder.

According to Snyman, Maphutha initiated contact via WhatsApp. The communication started with death threats from Maphutha.

“Eventually I got into his head, and I could understand why he was trying to tell me this. I said to him that I was going to make a Netflix movie about him and he liked the idea which led him to start talking,” says Snyman.

Intrigued at the system of how cellphones owned by prisoners, rented out and known by correctional officers, Snyman confirmed the messages were from Maphutha.

Intimately involved in all the cases over the two years, Snyman said Maphutha confessed and started talking about each case, convincing him that it was not a hoax and this was the right guy.

The actions of Maphutha do not add up, while he may not be entirely balanced. However, the fact that he could recall information about all the different targets and attacks gives a story of a person aware of their actions and is premeditated.

Snyman added that the character of Maphutha is very sadistic while he tries to justify his actions as being kind.

“He badly beat up an elderly couple in their eighties, lit the cupboard in their study, closed the door and told them you guys are going to die now and left,” says Snyman.

Meanwhile, Maphutha attempted to extort money from Snyman for missing art he claims to know the whereabouts of; frustrated with the con artist, Snyman discontinued conversation with Maphutha.

A video screenshot of the raw conversation can be seen on the Facebook page of Andre Snyman’s eblockwatch.

Listen to the full interview on Your World Today with Mufti Yusuf Moosagie.