The Sunday News
Amanda Ncube, Sunday News Reporter
A 20-YEAR-OLD man from Esigodini doused his unsuspecting girlfriend with paraffin before setting her alight accusing her of not seeking permission from him to visit her aunt in Bulawayo.
The girlfriend sustained serious injuries all over the body as a result of the fire incident and is recovering at the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH).
This was heard when Blessing Nkomo of Plot 97 Nevada area, Esigodini appeared before Esigodini magistrate Mr Lungile Ncube last week facing an attempted murder charge.
Nkomo soaked his unsuspecting girlfriend Sithulisiwe Ncube (19) with paraffin all over the body before setting her ablaze after a verbal war degenerated into a physical fight.
Nkomo was remanded in custody to 21 December.
The State case as presented by the prosecutor, Mr Thubeke Mwakambonji was that sometime last month at around 9PM, Ncube was at her grandmother’s place in Sihlengeni Village when Nkomo asked her to accompany him to his homestead.
It was the State case that Ncube accompanied Nkomo to his homestead and when they arrived, Nkomo started questioning her on why she had visited her aunt in Bulawayo without his consent.
The court heard that a misunderstanding ensued leading to a fierce exchange of words between the two before Nkomo decided to go physical. He attacked Ncube, slapping her several times on the face.
The prosecutor further told the court that the enraged Nkomo went on to pour paraffin all over Ncube’s body soaking her clothes before setting fire on her using a match stick.
It was the State case that Ncube screamed for help and was rescued by neighbours who rushed to the scene and managed to put out the fire that was consuming her.
She was rushed to the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) and a medical report was compiled by a doctor which proved that Ncube was badly injured leading to the arrest of Nkomo and his subsequent appearance in court.
