A 28-year-old Cape Town man has appeared in the Athlone Magistrates Court after allegedly trying to burn his girlfriend and friends alive in a flat in Heideveld, Cape Town. The accused, named as Imeraan Lemmert, reportedly sprayed petrol on his girlfriend and 16 others during an argument.

He then allegedly locked the security gate before a fire broke out, forcing occupants including children to flee through a window. Several people were injured and taken to hospital. Lemmert has chosen to represent himself and is expected to argue for bail on 2 December.