Man accused of burning woman alive appears in court

By Teboho Moloi

QWAQWA – A 29-year-old man from Kudumane Village, Lerato Martin Dladla, appeared briefly in the Phuthaditjhaba Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 29 July, on a Schedule 6 charge of murder following the alleged brutal killing of an unidentified 27-year-old woman.

Dladla was arrested after allegedly stabbing the woman several times before setting her alight inside a shack near the Setsing Shopping Complex, an area reportedly frequented by nyaope users. The incident allegedly occurred on Saturday evening, 25 July, in the presence of an eyewitness.

Free State police spokesperson Warrant Officer Mmako Mophiring said the suspect was found hiding at a relative’s home in Bluegumbosch less than 24 hours after the alleged murder.

According to Mophiring, the eyewitness managed to escape and alerted police officers who were patrolling the area at about 22:00. Officers immediately launched a search for the suspect but were initially unsuccessful.

“It is alleged that the suspect arrived at the shack with the unidentified victim, where they were warming themselves around a fire made from burning plastic.

The suspect allegedly stabbed the victim several times with a sharp object before throwing her onto the fire. He allegedly continued feeding the fire by placing cardboard boxes on top of her,” said Mophiring.

Police further allege that the eyewitness attempted to flee but was threatened by the suspect before eventually managing to escape and report the incident.

The case was postponed to Thursday, 6 August, for Dladla to formally apply for bail. During the court proceedings, his legal representative informed the court that the accused has a previous conviction for robbery.

Police said the identity of the deceased remains unknown and appealed to members of the public to assist in identifying her so that her family and next of kin can be traced.

Anyone with information that may assist the investigation is urged to contact Phuthaditjhaba Detective Service’s Warrant Officer Mathibela on 082 554 3461 or the Phuthaditjhaba Community Service Centre on 072 564 3200.