Monday, March, 16 2026 - The High Court of South Africa in Mbombela, Mpumalanga, has
sentenced a 35-year-old man to life imprisonment for the brutal m8rder of his
girlfriend, whom he set alight during a domestic dispute in Carolina.
Innocent Sthembiso Maseko was convicted of m8rdering his
girlfriend, Mbali Lucy Ngubeni, following a violent altercation at their home
in Silobela, Carolina.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Monica Nyuswa in
a statement on Friday, March 13, 2926 said the court heard that the
couple, who were in a domestic relationship and living together, began arguing
in their bedroom on 20 August 2024.
Nyuswa said the argument escalated into a physical
confrontation, during which Maseko poured petrol over Ngubeni and set her on
fire.
Despite suffering severe burn injuries, Ngubeni managed to
escape the room and ran down the passage of the house.
She called for help from a friend who was sleeping in
another room.
The friend rushed to assist and managed to extinguish the
flames by pouring water over her.
Ngubeni was rushed to hospital for treatment but succumbed
to her injuries a week later.
The incident was reported to the police, leading to Maseko’s
arrest.
Nyuswa said that during the trial, Maseko pleaded not guilty
and claimed that he was not present when Ngubeni caught fire.
However, the State presented evidence from several
witnesses, including testimony from Ngubeni’s friend who described what she
witnessed during the incident.
The prosecution also relied on a statement made by the
deceased before her d3ath.
The court found the State’s witnesses credible and rejected
Maseko’s version of events.
When delivering the sentence, the presiding judge said
courts have a duty to send a strong message that such violent crimes will not
be tolerated.
The court found no substantial or compelling circumstances
to justify a lighter sentence and imposed life imprisonment.
Maseko was also declared unfit to possess a firearm, and his application for leave to appeal was dismissed.
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