A minor loan dispute turned into a terrifying ordeal in Waterloo, KwaZulu-Natal, when a man allegedly set a neighbour’s car on fire after a disagreement over a R200 debt.
According to Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA), a woman contacted their operations centre early Sunday morning after the suspect—her neighbour—returned to her home and attempted to force entry. Hours earlier, on Saturday, June 28, he had confronted her, demanding repayment of a loan he claimed was given to her husband.
Armed with a firearm, the suspect allegedly threatened to shoot through a wooden door, while the woman and her three young children were trapped inside. Her husband immediately repaid the R200, and the family believed the matter was settled.
But just after midnight, the suspect allegedly returned. When police were alerted, he instead turned his rage on a red VW Jetta parked outside, smashing its window and setting it ablaze before fleeing. The car suffered extensive damage.
The man is now wanted for arson under Verulam SAPS case number CAS 491/06/2025. RUSA confirmed they have a photograph of the suspect and will release it publicly once cleared by detectives.
Police investigations are ongoing, with the incident sparking concern over escalating neighbour disputes and violence over trivial financial matters.
