Police are investigating a case of attempted murder after the son of a Durban garage owner allegedly poured petrol on an employee and set her alight, causing severe burn wounds.
The 31-year old woman, Zinhle Mchunu who is the breadwinner in her family, has not been able to return to work due to the injuries she sustained a month ago.
She is a cleaner at The Dons garage in Durban’s central business district. Mchunu alleges that the owner’s son first set a part of her artificial hair alight in an apparent prank. She says she ran to a stationary vehicle to get away, but the man followed her.
“He came with a tin of petrol, and he pour it on the floor. Inside the car he put the petrol on my leg. He said no Zi I can burn you, I said no you can’t burn me – then he took the lighter and he burnt me. After that he took me to the hospital.”
Mchunu says she delayed laying a charge with the police because she was hoping that the owner of the garage would support her after she was injured.
“He didn’t come and help, he didn’t support me, he didn’t do anything until now, they didn’t get anything by them. They didn’t even support me with the small things. I need a lot of tablets. They didn’t come and visit me till now. His father didn’t attend me. Now I’m not doing anything, there is no small income coming at home, it’s very bad.”
Don Govendor says he is aware of the incident, but has refused to comment.
