Thohoyandou police opened a case of murder on June 16, following an incident where a woman was set alight and burned to death, allegedly by her jealous lover.

The incident occurred at Mphego Village.

According to police spokesperson Supt Ailwei Mushavhanamadi, the 26-year-old male suspect gave R50 to his 19-year-old girlfriend to go and gamble at Tusk Venda Hotel and Casino. He then followed his girlfriend to the hotel and found her in the arms of another man.

The suspect ordered his girlfriend home, stopping on their way at a local petrol station to buy some petrol.

Once home, the suspect and his girlfriend quarrelled over the incident until about 21:00, ending in a mutual decision by both that they should die together. The suspect went and fetched the petrol he had bought earlier and soaked the bed they were sitting on. He then ignited the petrol.

Both the suspect and his girlfriend escaped with serious burn wounds. They were rushed to the nearby Tshilidzini Hospital, where the 19-year-old woman died shortly afterwards. At the time of going to press, the suspect was still in the intensive care unit under close police guard.