An official in the supply chain section of the Department of Justice at the Mhala Magistrate’s Court in the Bushbuckridge Municipality allegedly poured boiling water over his wife after she refused to cook because she was tired.

Despite the severity of the injuries the woman sustained, the official remains a free man, as the prosecution requested police to conduct further investigations.

The woman told Mpumalanga News that she had worked a double shift at her workplace in Hazyview and was unable to cook when she returned to the home she rented with her husband on November 20.

When her husband arrived home, he allegedly demanded to know why no food had been prepared.

“I explained to my husband that I was very tired because I had worked a double shift that day. He poured water into a pot and said he would cook, but when the water reached boiling point, he poured it over my body while I was lying on the bed, facing down,” she said.

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“I screamed in pain and neighbours who heard me called the police. I was rushed to Thulamahashe Health Centre and later transferred to Mapulaneng Hospital in Bushbuckridge with injuries to my shoulders and part of my head,” she added.

The matter was reported to Mhala SAPS, and she was informed that her husband would be arrested.

However, the suspect spent only a few hours in custody before being released on warning by the investigating officer after his arrest on Friday, November 21.

The victim said she received an SMS from Mhala police stating that the suspect had been arrested and would appear in the Mhala Magistrate’s Court on Monday, November 24.

Shortly afterwards, I received another SMS informing me that the matter had been referred to the senior public prosecutor for a decision. I understood this to mean that the prosecutor would decide whether my husband would be prosecuted or not,” she said.

Mpumalanga NPA spokesperson Monica Nyuswa said the docket had been returned to SAPS due to outstanding information and that a decision would be made at a later stage.

“Queries were raised in the docket, and the matter was referred back to SAPS for further investigation. Once clarified, we will consider the matter and decide whether to prosecute or not,” Nyuswa said.

“No bail was granted. The police were instructed by the prosecution to investigate further and return the docket for consideration,” she added.

Mpumalanga police spokesperson Captain Mpho Nonyane-Mpe confirmed that the suspect was released on warning because the prosecution required additional information.

Mpumalanga News attempted to contact the suspect for comment. Instead, a man who identified himself as the suspect’s brother responded but refused to provide his name, saying his comments were off the record and could not be published.

The woman said she feels that law enforcement authorities are favouring her husband.

“I know the Department of Justice to be at the forefront of the fight against gender-based violence and femicide, but in this case one of its officials remains a free man while I am in pain after he poured boiling water over my body. I am worried that he has not appeared in court thus far. This is unfair,” she said.

Elizabeth Shingange. > Photo: Supplied/Elizabeth Shingange

The Elizabeth Home Foundation, an NGO advocating for the rights of vulnerable people, expressed shock over the incident.

“We are saddened that the suspect has not appeared in a court of law despite the serious injuries suffered by the woman,” said Elizabeth Shingange, the foundation’s founder.