Bail hearing postponed for woman accused of deadly house fire
The family has called on the court to ensure justice is served, saying they are placing their trust in the legal process.
The bail application of a 36-year-old woman accused of setting her former boyfriend and his new partner alight, resulting in their deaths, has been postponed by the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court.
Nelisiwe Zililo briefly appeared in court on Friday in connection with the deaths of Mzomuhle Shezi (36) and his girlfriend, Yoliswa Ngubane (33), who both succumbed to severe burn injuries after a house in France, Mpumelelo, was allegedly set on fire on Tuesday evening.
ALSO READ | PMB father and girlfriend die in house fire after alleged threats
Zililo, who was arrested by the police shortly after the incident, remained in custody after the matter was postponed for a formal bail hearing, which is scheduled to be heard next week, on July 17.
The case has sent shockwaves through the Taylors Halt and Mpumelelo communities, with grieving relatives alleging that the attack followed a series of threats made before the tragedy.
Speaking to The Witness, Shezi’s sister, Nokulunga Shezi, said the family is still struggling to come to terms with the deaths.
“My brother received threats days before he was killed, but he did not believe they would be carried out. We are heartbroken, especially for his two daughters, who have now lost their father in such a cruel manner,” she said.
The family has called on the court to ensure justice is served, saying they are placing their trust in the legal process.
ALSO READ | Till death do us part: Wife gets life for plotting teacher husband’s murder
Following the deaths and Zililo’s court appearance, allegations of abuse, neglect and threats have emerged. Both Zililo and Shezi’s families have made these allegations leaving the community torn and questioning everything that transpired.
According to police, emergency services responded to reports of a house fire in the France location, where Shezi and Ngubane were found with severe burn injuries.
They were rushed to hospital but later died.
uMgungundlovu police spokesperson Sergeant Sifiso Gwala confirmed that Zililo was arrested in connection with the incident and that investigations are continuing.
The matter returns to the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court next week for Zililo’s bail application
