---
title: "Port St Johns tense after more homesteads torched following soldier’s arrest"
description: "Tensions ran high in Majola near Port St Johns in the Eastern Cape after another 20 homesteads were set alight on Thursday morning. The latest attacks came before a soldier was due to appear in court to be charged with ongoing arson attacks in surrounding villages."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "ONGOING ARSON ATTACKS"
author: "Hoseya Jubase"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/hoseya-jubase/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-01-26-port-st-johns-tense-after-more-homesteads-torched-following-soldiers-arrest/"
published: "2023-01-26T21:31:02"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 239
---

# Port St Johns tense after more homesteads torched following soldier’s arrest

> Tensions ran high in Majola near Port St Johns in the Eastern Cape after another 20 homesteads were set alight on Thursday morning. The latest attacks came before a soldier was due to appear in court to be charged with ongoing arson attacks in surrounding villages.

By Hoseya Jubase · Published 26 January 2023, 23:31 SAST

## Key points
- Early on Thursday morning, twenty homesteads were torched in Majola in Port St Johns, Eastern Cape. This attack follows the burning of close to 50 homes in a nearby village on 15 January. Police are investigating whether the attacks are linked to decades of disputes over stock theft. Eastern Cape police spokesperson Brigadier Thembinkosi Kinana said the latest attacks took the police by surprise and that fighting has erupted between two areas in Bhuje village and Siphusiphu village. On Tuesday, a 57-year-old soldier was arrested for the 15 January arson attack and is due back in court tomorrow. Police have deployed officers to ensure stability and peace amid an ongoing tense situation.
- Twenty homesteads were torched in Majola, Eastern Cape ahead of the court appearance of a suspect arrested for ongoing attacks on villages.
- Close to 50 homes in a nearby village were burnt down on 15 January.
- Eastern Cape police officials were trying to calm the situation and believe the attacks are linked to decades of disputes over stock theft.
- On Tuesday, police arrested a 57-year-old soldier in connection with the 15 January arson attack.

## Content

Twenty homesteads were torched early on Thursday morning in Majola in Port St Johns ahead of the [court appearance of a suspect](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-01-25-soldier-arrested-after-port-st-johns-arson-attack-that-destroyed-dozens-of-homes/) arrested for ongoing attacks on villages.

On 15 January, [close to 50 homes](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-01-16-forty-nine-port-st-johns-homes-burnt-down-in-stock-theft-dispute/) in a nearby village were burnt down.

By late afternoon, Eastern Cape police officials were trying to calm the situation in Majola Administrative Area. It is believed the attacks are linked to decades of disputes over stock theft.

Eastern Cape police spokesperson Brigadier Thembinkosi Kinana said the latest attacks took the police by surprise. “Fighting has erupted again between the two areas in Bhuje village and Siphusiphu village.”

**Visit**[***Daily Maverick’s*****home page**](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=in_article_link&utm_campaign=homepage)**for more news, analysis and investigations**

He confirmed that 20 homes had been torched.

“Our police officers have been deployed there. Detectives are working hard trying to investigate what could have happened this morning. Our deployment will remain in that area until we are satisfied there is stability and peace.

“I must indicate that it’s still very tense. People are still gunning for one another.”

![Advocate Odwa Manitshana ,the legal representative for the 57-year-old soldier arrested for an arson attack in Port St Johns, Eastern Cape. Manitshana said his client was not involved in the attack. (Photo: Hoseya Jubase)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/WqyYhmWgs4VJEGwAM4yPQnvpI_M=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/MC-PSJ-Fire.jpg)

*Advocate Odwa Manitshana, the legal representative of the 57-year-old soldier arrested for an arson attack in Port St Johns, Eastern Cape. Manitshana said his client was not involved in the attack. (Photo: Hoseya Jubase)*

On Tuesday, police arrested a 57-year-old soldier in connection with the 15 January arson attack. The man arrived at court on Thursday, but was told to return on Friday, 27 January. **DM/MC**