Wife Seeks Bail After Arrest for Husband’s Murder

A woman from Ekurhuleni has applied for bail after being arrested for allegedly hiring a hitman to kill her husband, an Ekurhuleni Metro police officer. The accused, Sibongile Dlamini (42), appeared before the Springs Magistrates Court on Thursday, February 27, to plead her case.

Conflicting Statements in Court

During her bail application, Dlamini denied any involvement in hiring assassins to murder her husband. However, inconsistencies in her affidavits raised concerns in court. In her first affidavit, she completely denied knowing accused number one. Yet, in her second statement, she admitted knowing him as someone from whom she and her late husband had purchased a display refrigerator for their spaza shop.

Dlamini identified the accused as “Siphiwe” rather than his real name, Ntliziyozabantu Magwanyana. This contradiction has drawn suspicion from both the state and the victim’s family.

Bail Request and Justifications

Dlamini’s primary argument for bail was her responsibility toward her disabled son. She claimed she needed to be released to manage his financial and healthcare needs. The defence argued that keeping her in custody would negatively affect her child’s well-being.

However, the state requested more time to investigate her claims regarding her son’s lack of a caregiver. The prosecution wanted to verify whether her absence would indeed cause hardship to the child.

Court’s Consideration

The court acknowledged the complexity of the case, emphasizing that both the child’s interests and the demands of justice must be considered. A brief postponement was granted to allow the prosecution to verify the child’s situation. The next hearing was scheduled for Tuesday, March 4.

Reaction from the Victim’s Family

Daniel Skosana, the uncle of the deceased Banele Skosana, expressed the family’s shock and disappointment at Dlamini’s denial of involvement. The family believes that justice should prevail and that the accused should not be granted bail.

Conclusion

As the case continues to unfold, the court must weigh the evidence and determine whether Dlamini’s bail request is justified. With the prosecution working to verify her claims, the upcoming hearing on March 4 will be a crucial moment in this high-profile case.