A 36-year-old man is set to appear in the Bela-Bela Magistrate’s Court today (June 17) following the death of a 24-year-old woman who sustained severe burn injuries during a domestic-related incident in Noodhulp on May 31. (Noodhulp is a farming community situated about 7km outside Bela-Bela.)

Polokwane Review reports that Limpopo police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said that on the day of the incident, the victim and her boyfriend were involved in a heated argument.

During the altercation, the man allegedly left the scene and later returned carrying a flammable substance. The substance was poured over the victim before she was set alight, allegedly by her boyfriend.

The accused reportedly sustained burn injuries to his hands during the incident.

Case upgraded to murder

The victim and the accused were admitted to Bela-Bela Hospital for medical treatment.

Police were summoned to the hospital, where a case of attempted murder was opened.

Following investigations, the man was arrested on June 8 and charged with attempted murder.

He appeared in the Bela-Bela Magistrate’s Court on June 10 and was remanded in custody. The case was postponed to today for a formal bail application.

On June 12, the victim died while receiving medical treatment.

As a result, the case has since been upgraded from attempted murder to murder.

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