The suspect appeared in court on Tuesday 16 May 2023 and his case was postponed to Thursday 25 May 2023. Free State police spokesperson, Thabo Covane, explained that the man poured petrol over his wife on Saturday 13 May 2023 before he set her alight.

“Dikgang Edward Lebetsa (38) was at home with his wife in A-section in Botshabelo. It is reported that they were both enjoying themselves when a quarrel started regarding missing cash in the house. The suspect assaulted his wife and she fell to the ground. The husband rushed outside and came back holding a container with petrol inside. It is alleged that he set her alight at about 21:00,” he added.

Covane said the victim grabbed a water bucket and managed to save her own life by extinguishing the fire. The suspect then locked his wife inside the house and denied her treatment. She only received treatment the next day.  A case of attempted murder was opened at the Botshabelo Police Station and Lebetsa was arrested.

OFM News