Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Pouring Hot Cooking Oil on White River Street Vendor
BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR
Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Pouring Hot Cooking Oil on White River Street Vendor
By KasiBCAfrica News
WHITE RIVER, MPUMALANGA — The Nelspruit Regional Court has sentenced 38-year-old Given Smiso Nkosi to 15 years of direct imprisonment for the attempted murder of street vendor Emelinah Mdlovu. The sentence follows a horrific attack in broad daylight that left the informal trader with severe burn injuries.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomed the sentence, emphasizing that senseless violence against innocent citizens working to earn an honest living will not be tolerated by the justice system.
Chased and Doused in Scalding Oil
The brutal incident occurred on 24 January 2026 in White River, where Mdlovu was operating her street vending stall selling vetkoek.
According to evidence led by the State, Mdlovu observed Nkosi getting into a physical fight with another man nearby. As the brawl drifted closer to her vending station—where a large pot of cooking oil was actively boiling—Mdlovu warned both men to stop fighting and move away to prevent anyone from getting hurt.
Instead of backing off, Nkosi turned his rage on the street vendor:
- Fearing for her safety, Mdlovu fled her stall on foot.
- Nkosi grabbed the large pot filled with boiling oil from the stall and gave chase.
- Upon catching up to her, Nkosi poured the scalding oil directly over Mdlovu's body, inflicting severe burns.
An alert motorist driving past witnessed Nkosi chasing Mdlovu and dousing her in hot oil. The eyewitness immediately intervened and called for assistance, allowing police officers to arrive swiftly and arrest Nkosi near the scene. Mdlovu was rushed to a local hospital via ambulance for emergency treatment.
Justice Served in Court
During trial proceedings, State Prosecutor Simon Mamabolo successfully argued against bail, keeping Nkosi in custody throughout the legal process. Although Nkosi pleaded not guilty, the prosecution presented overwhelming testimony from the victim, the eyewitness, and medical experts detailing the severity of Mdlovu’s burn injuries.
In arguing for aggravation of sentence, the State underscored that Mdlovu was an innocent bystander providing for her family when she became the target of unprovoked violence.
"The successful prosecution and sentence underscore the NPA's commitment to holding perpetrators of violent crime accountable and ensuring justice for victims. The sentence sends a clear message that senseless acts of violence against innocent members of society will not be tolerated and will attract serious consequences." — National Prosecuting Authority Statement
In addition to his 15-year direct imprisonment sentence, the Nelspruit Regional Court declared Nkosi unfit to possess a firearm.
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