Vendor left with severe burns after attack at food stall
White River — A man has been sentenced to prison for pouring hot cooking oil over a street vendor at a White River trading spot earlier this year, an attack that left the woman with severe burns and prompted a trial in the Nelspruit Regional Court.
Smiso Nkosi (38) was sentenced to 15 years’ direct imprisonment on 11 August after the court found him guilty of attempted murder. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in Mpumalanga reported that the conviction relates to an incident on 24 January while the victim, identified as Emelinah Mdlovu, was selling vetkoek at her stall.
The state said Mdlovu was an unintended target. Court testimony established that she had asked two men arguing near her pot of hot cooking oil to move away. According to NPA Mpumalanga spokesperson Monica Nyuswa, the situation escalated when Nkosi directed his aggression at Mdlovu.
“The conviction stemmed from an attack on January 24 while Mdlovu was selling vetkoek at her stall,”
Nyuswa reported that Mdlovu fled the stall in fear after Nkosi became aggressive. Nkosi then allegedly grabbed the pot, chased her and poured the hot oil over her body. An eyewitness travelling in a vehicle observed the assault, intervened and called for help. Police later arrested Nkosi and Mdlovu was taken by ambulance to hospital for urgent medical treatment.
Evidence led court to reject bail and find guilt
The NPA told the court it had successfully opposed bail for Nkosi, keeping him in custody until the matter was finalised. During the trial Nkosi pleaded not guilty, but state prosecutor Simon Mamabolo presented evidence from the victim and the eyewitness, together with medical reports confirming the seriousness of the injuries. The court found that evidence persuasive and convicted Nkosi of attempted murder.
In presenting aggravation of sentence the state argued Nkosi posed a danger to society and highlighted that the offence occurred in daylight and that Mdlovu was an innocent bystander carrying out her livelihood.
- Date of incident: 24 January (as reported by the NPA)
- Victim: Emelinah Mdlovu, street vendor selling vetkoek
- Perpetrator: Smiso Nkosi (38), convicted of attempted murder
- Sentence: 15 years’ direct imprisonment (handed down 11 August)
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Court | Nelspruit Regional Court |
| State prosecutor | Simon Mamabolo |
| Prosecution stance | Bail opposed; aggravation stressed danger to society |
The case illustrates persistent safety risks faced by informal traders and vendors who rely on street trading to support themselves and their families. The attack, carried out while the vendor was working in broad daylight, has raised concern among residents about the vulnerability of small-scale businesses and informal economies along local trading routes.
Local authorities and community organisations have previously urged greater policing presence and crime-prevention measures in trading areas to protect vendors, who are often exposed to passers-by and to disputes that can spill over into violence. The NPA statement did not indicate whether further steps are being taken to provide support to the victim following her hospital treatment.
For residents concerned about safety at trading sites, practical measures often discussed include improved lighting, quicker police response times, community patrols and designated trading areas that keep vendors away from traffic and heated cooking equipment. The court’s sentence reflects the seriousness with which the justice system viewed an act that endangered a working vendor and by extension broader public safety.
