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Man accused of setting girlfriend alight dies in Mamelodi East holding cells
A man accused of setting his girlfriend alight in the north-east of Pretoria has died in police holding cells.
The 55-year-old suspect was arrested last Wednesday night after allegedly dousing Lindiwe Zitha with petrol and setting her alight in Mamelodi East, Section 16. The shocking incident left Zitha, aged 50, fighting for her life in the ICU at Wilgers Hospital.
He turned himself into the Mamelodi East police after seeking medical assistance at a local clinic, according to Gauteng police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Masondo. Later, the man complained of experiencing pain. Officers then requested an ambulance.
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When the paramedics arrived, the suspect was dead. The police are investigating, and a postmortem examination will take place to determine the cause.
The Zitha family are disappointed with the turn of events. They sought answers about the reason behind the horrific act. Khabo Zitha, the family spokesperson, emphasized their desire to understand why the accused targeted Lindiwe. Khabo lamented the permanent scars her sister now bears while acknowledging that the accused passed away before facing trial.
The man had previously appeared in the Mamelodi Magistrate’s Court on Monday. The case has been remanded to June 12 to allow further investigation. The court proceedings will now be affected by the suspect’s unexpected death in police custody.
Source: Pretoria man accused of setting girlfriend alight dies in holding cells
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