In a heartbreaking tragedy that has shocked the Emalahleni community in Mpumalanga, South Africa, 21-year-old Nompumelelo Gamede died after she was allegedly set ablaze by her boyfriend, Mpumelelo Hill.
Before slipping into a coma in the ICU, Nompumelelo reportedly told her mother, Shirley Mlanjeni, “Mama, I’m sorry for not listening when you warned me about this boy. Please look after my daughter.” Those would be her final words.
The incident occurred last week when Hill allegedly poured petrol inside a bedroom and set it alight, burning both Nompumelelo and his own sister, who had tried to intervene.
- VIDEO: Woman Claiming to Be Chris Okafor’s Former Wife Makes Explosive Allegations
- I will not be vice-president to anybody ~ Peter Obi
- Israel recognises Somaliland as sovereign state
- 70-year-old Indian woman gives birth to her first child
- Ghanaian Prophet, Eboh Noah, Builds 8 Arks, Reveals God Has Warned Him That The World Will End On Christmas Day ~ Not By Fire, But By Another Global Flood.
- VIDEO: Pregnant wife bursts into tears as husband refuses to go beg neighbour Jollof rice
On the morning of the fire, neighbors noticed smoke rising and rushed to help. They found Hill calmly sitting in the living room, drinking alcohol, and refusing to open the locked burglar gate. His sister and Nompumelelo were heard screaming for help from the bedroom.
Despite community efforts to break in and save them, both women suffered severe burns. Hill’s sister later confirmed her brother had locked them inside before setting the fire.
Nompumelelo succumbed to her injuries ten days later. Doctors said over 60% of her body was burned and that her kidneys had failed. The second victim, Hill’s sister, also died from her injuries.
The family revealed that Nompumelelo had been in a troubled relationship with Hill for almost three years. They shared a child, who is now in the care of Hill’s parents. Relatives recalled frequent violence in the relationship, with Hill often apologizing after destructive outbursts but never truly changing.
Hill is expected to appear at the Emalahleni Magistrate’s Court on Thursday for his bail hearing. The community and family now seek justice for Nompumelelo and her daughter left behind.
