Bitter ex-lover tells woman and her underage children that they are breathing their last breaths hours before setting them on fire

Jeremia Velly Ngondwe, a 49-year-old man from Maboloka in Brits, was convicted by the Pretoria High Court for the murder of his ex-girlfriend, Precious Sphiwe Ndlovu, along with two counts of attempted murder and arson.

Ndlovu had ended their relationship due to domestic violence, which Ngondwe had inflicted on her despite her efforts to seek help from community leaders and authorities.

Following their breakup, Ndlovu obtained a protection order against Gondola.

Despite this, on the night of August 29, 2022, Ngondwe set fire to Ndlovu’s business shack and attempted to burn down her house on two occasions. When his initial attempts failed, he asked a friend to help buy petrol, stating concern about being caught on camera at the petrol station.

On October 1, 2022, while driving past Ndlovu’s house, Ngondwe warned her and her three children, aged 12, 15, and 17 at the time, that they were breathing their last breaths.

In the early hours of October 2, 2022, Ngondwe returned to Ndlovu’s house and set it on fire while she and her children were asleep. The children suffered minor injuries, while Ndlovu sustained severe burns while attempting to save them. She succumbed to her injuries in the hospital a few days later.

Ngondwe was arrested on October 3, 2022, and has remained in custody since then, as the National Prosecuting Authority successfully opposed his bail.

Despite strong evidence against him, Ngondwe pleaded not guilty to the charges in court.

Must read: Man stabs girlfriend in the heart after she reminded him of his cheating