Jozini man sets girlfriend, house, car on fire, hangs himself
THE motive remains unclear as to what drove a Jozini man to commit the heinous crimes of setting his girlfriend, house and car on fire before hanging himself.
It is reported that at around 7am on Thursday, Musa Mathebula (58) set his girlfriend Zodwa Elizabeth Sibambo on fire, then torched his vehicle and home before hanging himself.
On the morning, Sibambo was reportedly on her way to Makhathini Clinic where she works as a nurse when she came across Mathebula, and an argument ensued.
According to reports, this led to Mathebula dousing Sibambo in petrol and setting her alight.
"The victim managed to roll herself around on the ground and she was assisted by bystanders who took her to Makhathini Clinic. The victim sustained burn wounds and will be transferred to a private hospital," said Mkhize.
Mkhize added that after attacking Sibambo, Mathebula went to his home in the Ntenga area, where he burnt his NP200 bakkie and his bedroom, then took a rope and went into the bush about 1km away, where he hung himself.
"The deceased was taken by mortuary van to Msiyane State Mortuary," said Mkhize.
The local municipality's disaster management unit was at the scene to extinguish the fires, and Jozini Mayor
Mfananaye Mathe was also there to assess the situation. Inkosi of the Siqakatha nation, Mbusowesizwe Gumede condemned the incident, and lamented that these seem to be on the rise in the area.
According to Gumede, the couple only recently moved to the area.
Mathebula worked as a water truck driver at Bethesda Hospital.
Jozini SAPS have opened cases of attempted murder and arson, as well as an inquest docket into the suicide.