South Africa: Man Arrested For Dousing Lover With Petrol

A 41-year-old man has been arrested for the alleged brutal murder of his lover in Thaba Nchu outside Bloemfontein in the Free State.

The man was apprehended after a passer-by noticed the woman burning in the street and called the police.

In a statement issued on Thursday by Lieutenant Colonel Thabo Covane, the colonel stated: "On Monday, 5 December 2022, at about 06:00, a passer-by saw a female engulfed with flames in Milner Street in Thaba Nchu. 

"The lady rushed to the police station and alerted the police about the incident.

"The members at the Community Service Centre responded to the complaint and on arrival discovered a badly burnt female who managed to inform them that her partner doused her with petrol and then set her alight."

In the same statement, the police said, "Emergency Services were summoned to the scene, and the victim was rushed to the local hospital. 

"The victim later passed away while at the hospital.

"The police started the search for the suspect and he was traced to Odendaalsrus.

"The 41-year-old male was then arrested for the murder of his 25-year-old partner in Odendaalsrus.

"The suspect will appear in Selosesha Magistrate’s Court soon."