Two young women who were set alight in a house in Emalahleni, Mpumalanga, South Africa have d!ed after over a week in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
Nompumelelo Gumede (21) and Antoinette Mbali Hills (23) were severely burned on Wednesday, 23 July 2025, when Nompumelelo’s boyfriend, Mpumelelo Ignitus Hills (35)—who is also the biological brother of Antoinette, allegedly doused a room with petrol and set it alight during a domestic dispute.
The attack reportedly followed an argument between Nompumelelo and Mpumelelo over suspicions of infidelity.
Antoinette, who was present and tried to intervene, was also caught in the flames.
Both women were rushed to a local hospital and admitted to ICU.
Antoinette sadly passed away on Friday, 01 August 2025, followed by Nompumelelo on Sunday morning, 03 August 2025.
Mpumelelo was arrested and initially charged with two counts of attempted m8rder.
He appeared briefly at the Emalahleni Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 30 July 2025, and his case was postponed to 07 August 2025.
Following the victims’ deaths, police have confirmed that the charges have now been escalated to two counts of m8rder.
