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.