The 44-year-old soldier is also facing arson charges after he also burnt down the house where the woman was.
A member of the South African National Defence Force appeared in a Mpumalanga court for three counts of murder and arson.
The 44-year old man was arrested for allegedly burning down a house, killing a woman and her two children – aged 10 and 17 years – in the Middelburg township of Mhluzi.
Police spokesman Brigadier Leonard Hlathi says the man is currently lying in a hospital bed but under police guard after he suffered burn wounds on his hands and arms.
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According to police investigation, the man had booked fuel in two 25 litre containers from work as he was going to go to North West on official duty.
Then this was allegedly used to destroy the woman and her children.
Hlathi says the mini-bus he used was got partly burnt at the scene.
The two children were declared dead at the scene while the mother died later due to her injuries.
(With SABC, edited by ZK)
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