South Africa's High Court of South Africa in Mbombela, Mpumalanga, has sentenced, Innocent Sthembiso Maseko, to life in prison for murdering his girlfriend by pouring petrol on her and setting her on fire during an argument at home.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson, Monica Nyuswa, announced the outcome in a statement released on Friday, March 13, 2026.
The crime happened on 20 August 2024 at the couple’s home in Silobela, Carolina.
Maseko and his girlfriend, Mbali Lucy Ngubeni, who lived together in a domestic relationship, started arguing in their bedroom, before turning physical as Maseko poured petrol over Ngubeni and set her alight.
Ngubeni, despite severe burns, escaped the bedroom and ran down the passage and called for help from a friend who was sleeping in another room.
The friend rushed in and poured water over her to put out the flames before she was taken to hospital for treatment but died from her injuries one week later.
The incident was reported to the police, and Maseko was arrested.
During the trial, Maseko pleaded not guilty, claiming he was not present when Ngubeni caught fire.
The State presented evidence from several witnesses, including testimony from Ngubeni’s friend who described what she saw, used a statement Ngubeni made before her death.
The court found the State’s witnesses credible and rejected Maseko’s account.
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.
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