The state has argued in the Durban High Court in KwaZulu-Natal that it has proven beyond reasonable doubt that a 57-year-old Phoenix man is guilty of premeditated murder after his wife and four of his children died in a house fire in 2021.
State prosecutor, Krishna Shah, delivered his closing argument in the trial of Kisha Sergie Chetty.
Chetty faces five counts of murder, six counts of attempted murder, and arson.
It is alleged that Chetty killed his wife, Elisha Naidoo, his 13-year-old daughter Jadene, his 9-year-old son Jordan, 8-year-old daughter Aarav, and his 3-year-old son Aldrin.
At the time of the incident, the family was renting a house in Phoenix, north of Durban .
Advocate Shah has told the court that it is common cause that the accused was aware of the dangers of starting the fire inside the house, which could result in people being killed, but still ignored the consequences.
In his evidence-in-chief, the accused said he poured petrol on himself in an attempt to commit suicide. This was after having a heated argument with his wife and brother-in-law.
The State asked the court to also consider the evidence by the fire expert which suggested that petrol was poured in the entire house, including the room where the five victims were sleeping.
