-Staff Writer / Fri, 13 March 2026
A 35-year-old man will spend the rest of his life behind bars after he brutally burned his girlfriend to death during a heated argument.
The High Court in Mbombela, Mpumalanga, sentenced Innocent Sthembiso Maseko (35) to life imprisonment for the murder of his girlfriend, Mbali Lucy Ngubeni.
The horrific incident happened on 20 August 2024 in Silobela, Carolina, where the couple lived together.
According to court evidence, the lovers were in their bedroom when an argument broke out and quickly turned violent.
During the fight, Maseko allegedly poured petrol over Ngubeni and set her alight.
Despite suffering severe burns, Ngubeni managed to run out of the room into the passage and cried for help from a friend who was sleeping in another room in the house.
The friend rushed to help and extinguished the flames by pouring water on her.
Ngubeni was taken to hospital but died a week later from her injuries.
The matter was reported to police and Maseko was arrested soon afterwards.
During the trial, Maseko pleaded not guilty, claiming he was not present when Ngubeni caught fire.
However, State Advocate(Adv) Sello Malesa presented strong evidence, including testimony from witnesses and a statement made by the deceased before her death.
The victim’s friend also told the court what she witnessed during the shocking incident.
The court found the State witnesses credible and rejected Maseko’s version of events.
In aggravation of sentence, the State argued that domestic violence and gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) remain a serious crisis in the country and that the accused showed no remorse.
A victim impact statement from Ngubeni’s mother, compiled with the help of a court preparation officer, revealed the deep emotional pain and trauma suffered by the family.
The judge said the courts have a duty to send a strong message that such brutal crimes will not be tolerated.
Maseko was sentenced to life imprisonment, declared unfit to possess a firearm, and his application for leave to appeal was dismissed.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomed the sentence and said it remains committed to fighting domestic violence and protecting vulnerable victims.
News Junction (Gold Standard)
