Bulawayo man jailed four years for attempted murder

Nokusa Masuku | 29 October 2026

A 23-year-old Bulawayo man has been sentenced to an effective four years in prison for attempting to murder his friend by pouring petrol on him and setting him on fire following a misunderstanding.

Mayibongwe Ngalonde of Warrengham was convicted by the Bulawayo Regional Magistrates’ Court for the attack on Mehluli Maphosa, 22, which occurred on August 23, 2026.

The incident happened at around 8pm at Plot 23 in Warrengham, where the two friends were in a kitchen near a fireplace when a misunderstanding escalated into an altercation.

During the confrontation, Ngalonde took out a small bottle containing petrol and poured the fuel over Maphosa, who subsequently caught fire.

Maphosa sustained extensive burns to his neck, hands and stomach. The incident was reported to the police, leading to Ngalonde’s arrest and eventual conviction.