KEY POINTS
- Sibongile Dlamini, accused of hiring hitmen to murder her metro police husband, was granted bail of R10,000, sparking outrage among the victim’s family and courtroom attendees.
- Magistrate Pravina Lazarus justified the ruling, citing Dlamini’s claim of being the primary caregiver to her disabled child, though records indicate the child is primarily cared for by the grandmother.
- A third suspect remains at large as investigations continue, while Dlamini and alleged gunman Ntliziyozabantu Magwanyana face charges of premeditated murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
Tensions ran high at the Springs Magistrate’s Court on Monday, March 10, 2025, after the court granted bail to Sibongile Dlamini, a 42-year-old woman accused of orchestrating the murder of her husband, metro police officer Banele Skosana.
Dlamini, who was arrested on Valentine’s Day just hours before her husband’s burial, was released on bail of R10,000, a decision that sparked fury among Skosana’s family and courtroom attendees.
Sowetanlive reports that as soon as the magistrate delivered the ruling, frustrated attendees banged the doors as they stormed out of the courtroom in protest.
The victim’s family, still mourning their loss, expressed deep disappointment at the court’s decision.
Speaking outside the court, Skosana’s brother, Lunga Skosana, voiced his frustration.
“We are extremely disappointed, but there is nothing we can do. The law is taking its course, but we believe the police have worked hard and have a strong case against the accused. We will keep coming here as a family because we want to see justice for Banele.”
Court justifies bail decision amidst legal and ethical debate
Presiding over the case, Magistrate Pravina Lazarus justified granting bail, stating that Dlamini had presented “exceptional circumstances” for her release. Dlamini argued that she was the primary caregiver of her 15-year-old child, who has physical and mental disabilities and requires constant attention.
However, the prosecution countered this claim, presenting evidence and medical records that indicated the child was primarily under the care of the grandmother. Despite this, Lazarus ruled that “it is clear that the child needs his mother’s care and attention to survive,” thereby justifying her decision to grant bail.
Critics have pointed out that this ruling raises questions about how the justice system weighs the rights of an accused person against the severity of the alleged crime. Legal analysts noted that while the constitutional rights of children are paramount, they are not absolute, particularly in cases involving violent crimes.
Dlamini and her alleged accomplice, Ntliziyozabantu Magwanyana, are accused of conspiring to murder 33-year-old Skosana. According to police reports, Skosana was ambushed and shot dead by two gunmen on February 7. Authorities believe that Dlamini hired Magwanyana to carry out the assassination, though the full details of the alleged plot remain under investigation.
Magwanyana, the accused gunman, has opted to abandon his bail application due to a pending criminal case in Soweto, for which he is awaiting judgment.
Meanwhile, police have confirmed that a third suspect remains at large, and an identity parade is yet to be conducted. Due to this, media outlets are prohibited from publishing images of the accused, as such exposure could compromise the identification process.
The murder case has drawn widespread attention, not just due to the nature of the crime but also because of concerns over the potential manipulation of the legal system. Many legal experts and members of the public are closely watching the developments, as the trial is expected to set a precedent on the handling of domestic violence-related homicide cases.
With the investigation still ongoing, Skosana’s family and the public continue to call for justice. As the trial date approaches, the legal battle over the murder of Banele Skosana is far from over.
