A 31-year-old woman, Viwe Dalingozi, died on Sunday, October 28, from severe burn wounds after her boyfriend allegedly doused with petrol and set alight in their Johannesburg flat for being in contact with her ex-lover.
Her uncle Fezile Dalingozi, who travelled from eNgcobo in the Eastern Cape to see Viwe after she was admitted to hospital, said the family was left devastated when news broke of her death. He said he was woken up by a call in the middle of the night informing him that his niece was badly burnt.
“I had just returned from Johannesburg on Sunday night and I was briefing the elders about Viwe’s condition when I received a call from the hospital informing me that Viwe had passed on.”
Dalingozi also said he will not be able to forget the last time he spoke to her for a few seconds, moments after her neighbours put out the fire on her.
“I spoke to her and she said she was scared that she was going to die because she was badly injured. I will not be able to forget the sound of her voice during that moment,” Dalingozi said.
“She sounded scared and in a lot of pain. I just hope whoever is responsible for this is arrested and brought to book.”
He described the 31-year-old as a frank, warm and welcoming person who was loved by her family and friends.
Viwe moved to Johannesburg from the Eastern Cape four years ago and was an administrative clerk for a doctor’s practice.
“Her mother has not been well for some time and this has further aggravated her health,” Dalingozi said.
A neighbour, who spoke to Sowetan on condition of anonymity, said she heard Viwe screaming for help in the early hours of Friday.
“I woke up to see what was happening and I could see that there was a fire in their flat. Before I could go in to assist I saw the boyfriend running from the flat.
“I ran to the flat and found Viwe in flames. I asked her what happened and she said her boyfriend was angered by her greeting her ex-boyfriend. He poured petrol on her and set her alight because he was angry and jealous.”
Captain Xoli Mbele said no one has been arrested and is appealing to the boyfriend to contact the police as he may be able to assist with investigations.
Meanwhile her friends have taken to social media to mourn her death and seek justice.