A matric pupil in the midst of half-year exams sustained extensive burn wounds to her face and body after a relative allegedly threw acid on her during an argument over soap.

Noholo Ntombela, 19, a matric pupil at Waterloo Secondary, was found on Tuesday on the floor of her Parkgate, Verulam, home with burns to her face, head and body, said Prem Balram, spokesman for security company, Reaction Unit South Africa.

“She appeared to be in a lot of pain and was in shock,” Balram said.

“Her two-year-old child was lying screaming on the floor next to her.”

He said they had interviewed neighbours and established there had apparently been an altercation between Ntombela and a relative who lived with her.

“The neighbours said she was about to leave for school to write her exam when the acid attack happened,” he said.

“There was apparently an argument over a bar of soap. She and the relative argued over who the soap belonged to.”

The neighbours maintain the relative fetched a bottle of acid and splashed Ntombela with it several times.

“She left the victim lying on the floor, screaming for help. She allegedly threatened to return with more acid to kill her. The acid burnt the teenager’s mouth, lips, eyes and chest.”

Balram said it was unclear if battery or pool acid had been used. He said they had tried to track down the suspect.

“She fled when neighbours went to investigate the commotion. But, police are confident she will be arrested because she is well known in the area.”

Although police were called to the scene, KwaZulu-Natal spokesman Captain Thulani Zwane, said no case had been registered. – Daily News