Elderly Houghton resident Risto Andjelopolj died in hospital after he was assaulted and locked inside his home before it was set alight last month.

Andre Snyman of eBlockwatch told TimesLIVE on Thursday the man’s son had confirmed his father had died on Sunday.

Earlier this month Jovan Andjelopolj told the Sunday Times his father was on a ventilator and could not speak.

“If my dad dies, this is murder.”

The alleged arsonist, who has been terrorising homeowners in Joburg's wealthy northern suburbs, is still on the loose.

“This death might have been prevented if the community and the police forewarned the residents that there was a trend. They were more concerned about an arrest than prevention,” said Snyman.

TimesLIVE