Information received from the community which led the police to a pub in Malvern, Johannesburg, where detectives arrested the man on Thursday.
Capt Johannes Ramphora, Springs police spokesman, says the man allegedly murdered his girlfriend in December.
It is alleged that the suspect and his girlfriend were arguing at the time of the incident, when he poured paraffin over her body and set her alight.
Read: Body of alleged rapist set alight by community
“The suspect disappeared after the incident,” says Ramphora.
The woman was taken to Far East Rand Hospital for medical treatment, where she died a week later.
The suspect is being detained by police and will appear in court on Monday.
Maj Gen Girly Mbele, of the Ekurhuleni East Cluster, appreciates the tireless efforts of the police in ensuring that suspects involved in the abuse of women and children are traced and brought to book.
Read: Springs woman dies after alleged paraffin attack by boyfriend
She says that a team of capable and experienced detectives has been established to fast-track cases of crimes of this nature, ensuring these receive urgent attention and are solved within a short space of time.
“My sincere thanks to the community who provided the information to the police.
“We request and encourage our men and women in blue to treat all cases committed against women and children in a very serious light at all times,” says Mbele.
