Bloemfontein - The Speaker of a Northern Cape municipality has become the fourth person to die following an arson attack on her home in Olifantshoek, allegedly committed by her husband.
Northern Cape police confirmed on Friday that the Speaker for the ZF Mgcawu District municipality, 45-year-old Nokhaya Mjila, had died at 6am in the Rosepark Medi-clinic in Bloemfontein from burn injuries sustained in the attack late last month.
Three relatives - including a nine-month-old baby - had already died from injuries suffered during the attack on May 30.
Police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu said: “Police are now investigating four counts of murder, one count of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and arson against a 48-year-old man. The suspect who was arrested shortly after the incident, is still in hospital in Kimberley and is under police guard. He is expected to appear in court soon.”
According to police Mjila’s husband had allegedly set her alight while she was asleep.
Lillian Dilodilo and nine-month-old baby Nokhanya Mjila, Nokhaya’s grandchild, died immediately after the blaze while a third relative, Narshilia Dituku, 35, died in hospital later.
Mjila’s husband, who also suffered burn wounds and a stab wound in the neck, was arrested and was taken to hospital under police guard.
Mjila, an African National Congress council speaker, had been recuperating at a relative’s house in Olifantshoek after spending time in hospital for an unrelated reason, when the incident happened.
Police said the husband arrived at the relative’s house on Friday evening, accompanied by other well wishers to check up on his wife. He and the other visitors left at around 10pm on May 30.
He allegedly returned to the house at around 2am, entered through an unlocked door and doused his wife with petrol while she was sleeping.
ANA