Father appears for setting daughter alight

Johannesburg - A man accused killing of his 1-year-old child by setting her alight appeared in the Mhala Magistrate's Court on Tuesday, Mpumalanga police said.

Jabulani Masinga, 36, faces charges of murder and attempted murder after he allegedly poured petrol over the child and her mother and set them alight last month, police spokesperson Selvy Mohlala said.

Masinga allegedly had an argument with the 35-year-old mother of his child, then returned later with a 5-litre container of petrol.

He allegedly poured the petrol over the woman, who was carrying the baby on her back, and set both of them alight.

"The woman and the baby were rushed to the hospital for serious burn wounds but unfortunately the child passed away shortly [after] arrival and the mother is still fighting for her life in the hospital."

The case was postponed to next Tuesday.