{
  "id": 746590,
  "title": "Man gets 15 years for pouring boiling oil over vetkoek vendor",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/13/man-gets-15-years-for-pouring-boiling-oil-over-vetkoek-vendor",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-13T08:16:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IOL",
    "slug": "iol",
    "url": "https://iol.co.za/news/crime-and-courts/man-gets-15-years-for-pouring-boiling-oil-over-vetkoek-vendor/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In Mpumalanga, a man named Smiso Nkosi has been handed a 15-year prison sentence for an attack where he poured boiling oil over a street vendor. The incident occurred on January 24, 2026, in White River, where 38-year-old Mdlovu was selling vetkoek from her stall. Nkosi, who was not acquainted with Mdlovu at the time, was involved in an altercation with another individual before the confrontation moved closer to her stall. Concerned for their safety, Mdlovu instructed the men to cease fighting and move away, warning them that the oil could cause serious harm. As Mdlovu fled her stall, Nkosi approached her, grabbed the pot with the hot oil, chased after her, and poured the boiling oil over her body. Eyewitnesses saw Nkosi catch up to Mdlovu and carry out the attack, immediately alerting the police. Mdlovu suffered severe burn injuries and was rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment. The National Prosecuting Authority opposed Nkosi's release on bail and he was held in custody until his sentencing. During the trial, Nkosi denied the charge of attempted murder, but after evidence from Mdlovu and an eyewitness, coupled with medical evidence of her injuries, the court found him guilty. The aggravating factors considered by the court included Nkosi's potential danger to society, the fact that the crime was committed in broad daylight, and that Mdlovu was an innocent bystander conducting her daily business when she became the victim of Nkosi's violent actions. The court has sentenced Nkosi to 15 years of direct imprisonment and declared him unfit to own a firearm. Monica Nyuswa, a spokesperson for the Mpumalanga branch of the National Prosecuting Authority, expressed satisfaction with the outcome, emphasizing that such violent acts against innocent citizens will face serious consequences.",
  "summary": "A Mpumalanga man has been sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment for a horrific attack that left a street vendor with severe burn injuries while she was simply trying to earn a living.",
  "key_points": [
    "Smiso Nkosi sentenced to 15 years in prison for pouring boiling oil over Mdlovu.",
    "Incident occurred on January 24, 2026, in White River, Mpumalanga.",
    "Mdlovu suffered severe burn injuries and was hospitalized."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}