Durban - A woman who allegedly threw acid on her colleague, killing her, will appear in the Pietermaritzburg Regional Court today on a charge of murder.
Ntombenhle Mkhize, 34, made a brief court appearance on Friday morning, when her case was adjourned to today to allow her to consult her legal aid attorney.
It is alleged that Mkhize, of the KwaPata location, followed her colleague, Smangele Mlaba, along Pietermaritz Street on the afternoon of January 15.
The two women both worked at Miguel’s Bakery, a popular confectionery shop in the CBD. It is alleged that an argument over baking trays between the two women began at work the day before the incident. The disagreement quickly escalated to an altercation over Mkhize’s boyfriend.
According to the court docket, the next day, Mkhize followed Mlaba as she walked along the street and then confronted her.
The two started arguing and then, in full view of a gathering crowd, Mkhize flung one litre of hydrochloric acid she had been carrying on to Mlaba’s face and body.
Members of the public ran to Mlaba’s aid, and they too got burns on their hands as they tried to help her.
Mlaba suffered burns to 75 percent of her body and died in hospital two days after the attack as a result of her injuries. It is alleged Mkhize obtained the acid from a place in KwaPata where factories discard acid and waste products.
Daily News