Mbombela, Mpumalanga – The High Court of South Africa, Mpumalanga Division, has convicted and sentenced Innocent Sthembiso Maseko (35) to life imprisonment for the murder of his girlfriend, Mbali Lucy Ngubeni, at Silobela in Carolina. Maseko and Ngubeni were in a domestic relationship and resided together. The incident occurred on 20 August 2024, when the couple was in their bedroom, and an argument broke out, which escalated into a physical altercation.
During the altercation, the accused poured petrol on the deceased and set her alight. The deceased pleaded with the accused to stop burning her. Despite sustaining severe burn injuries, she managed to run from the room into the passage of the house and called out to a friend who was sleeping in another room for assistance. The friend managed to extinguish the fire by pouring water on her. The deceased was subsequently taken to the hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries a week later. The incident was reported to the police, and the accused was arrested.
During the trial, Maseko pleaded not guilty and claimed that he was not present when the deceased caught fire. However, State Advocate Sello Malesa presented compelling evidence, including testimony from multiple witnesses and a statement made by the deceased. The deceased’s friend also testified about what she observed during the incident.
The court found the State’s witnesses credible and rejected the accused’s version of events.
In aggravation of sentence, Advocate Malesa argued that domestic-related offences have become a serious problem in the country, which has resulted in Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) being declared a national crisis. He further highlighted the accused’s lack of remorse and urged the court not to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence.
A Victim Impact Statement, compiled by the deceased’s mother and facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Nomfundo Mokoena, detailed the severe and ongoing psychological and emotional trauma endured by the family.
In delivering the sentence, the presiding judge remarked that it is the duty of the courts to send a strong message to would-be offenders that such offences cannot be tolerated. The court found no substantial and compelling circumstances warranting a deviation from the prescribed minimum sentence and accordingly imposed life imprisonment. Maseko was further declared unfit to possess a firearm, and his application for leave to appeal was dismissed.
