Man sentenced to 15 years for pouring boiling oil over vetkoek vendor in White River

A Mpumalanga man has been sentenced to 15 years’ direct imprisonment after being convicted of attempted murder for pouring hot cooking oil over a street vendor in White River.

The attack and arrest

The attack occurred on 24 January 2026 when Emelinah Mdlovu was selling vetkoek at her stall. The court heard that Smiso Nkosi, 38, who was unknown to Mdlovu, became involved in an altercation with another man that escalated and moved toward her stall, where she was frying vetkoek in a large pot of hot cooking oil.

Mdlovu instructed the men to stop fighting and warned them that the oil could cause serious injuries. The court was told that Nkosi then directed his aggression at Mdlovu. She fled from her stall, but Nkosi grabbed the pot of hot oil, chased her and, upon catching up, poured the oil over her body.

An eyewitness travelling in a vehicle observed Nkosi pursuing Mdlovu and pouring the oil over her. The witness intervened and called for assistance. Police responded and arrested Nkosi shortly thereafter. Mdlovu was taken to hospital by ambulance for urgent medical treatment and sustained severe burn injuries.

Trial and sentence

The National Prosecuting Authority opposed Nkosi’s release on bail, and he was remanded in custody until sentencing. Nkosi pleaded not guilty to the charge of attempted murder. Prosecutor Simon Mamabolo presented testimony from Mdlovu and the eyewitness, supported by medical evidence confirming the seriousness of her injuries.

The court found Nkosi guilty of attempted murder and sentenced him to 15 years’ direct imprisonment. The court also declared him unfit to possess a firearm.

Reaction from the NPA

The Mpumalanga spokesperson for the NPA, Monica Nyuswa, welcomed the sentence.

“This 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,” Nyuswa said.

Prosecution emphasis

During sentencing the State argued that Nkosi posed a danger to society, highlighted that the offence was committed in broad daylight and noted that Mdlovu was an innocent bystander conducting her daily business to earn a livelihood when she became the victim of the violent attack.