The matter reportedly happened on 16 December 2018 when the women laid her son on the bed, poured paraffin over him and set him alight. He was rescued by his father and relatives.

The incident, according to the police, transpired after the women had consumed alcohol at her home in Kagiso, just outside Kimberley, during the afternoon. The woman’s husband reportedly left to see a mechanic which angered the woman, who threw a beer bottle at his car. When the husband returned, he did not notice the damage to his car but was, however, alerted about the incident by his wheelchair-bound son. These events then angered the woman, who supposedly felt betrayed by the young boy.

She moved her son to the room, laid him on the bed, and doused him with paraffin. The 15-year-old managed to be rescued by his father and relatives who were at the house and extinguished the fire. The boy sustained severe burns that led to him having to spend five months in medical treatment for the injuries. The accused was found guilty of attempted murder and was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment by the Galeshewe Regional Court on 29 January 2020.

OFM News