Mams woman in ICU after being set alight with petrol

A 50-year-old woman is fighting for her life after she was doused in petrol and set alight in Mamelodi, allegedly by her boyfriend.

The incident occurred last week Wednesday in Mamelodi east, Section 16 at about 19:30 when the 55-year-old accused poured petrol over Lindiwe Zitha and set her alight.

Family spokesperson, Khabo Zitha, said the accused was arrested the following day when he was found seeking help at a local clinic after suffering serious burns to his hands.

She said they found the accused at the clinic and he ran to Mamelodi east police station where he handed himself over to the police.

“No one knew the boyfriend in the family but we were told that he and my sister were dating for quite some time. We only found out now that he was also bullying her,” said Zitha.

“He threatened to kill her on several occasions and sometimes forced her to sleep over and demanded money from her.

“On the night of the incident the accused found my sister in the kitchen and poured petrol all over her body and set her alight,” she said.

He then tried to set cars outside the house alight before he fled the scene.

“My sister ran to the other room and her son who was trying to put out the fire also suffered serious burns on his hands,” said Zitha.

Zitha said her sister was rushed to Wilgers hospital, where she was admitted to the ICU in critical condition.

She sustained severe burn wounds all over her body.

The accused made his first appearance at the Mamelodi magistrates court on Monday and the case has been remanded to 12 June 2023 for further investigations.

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