KWA-THEMA, South Africa — Sibongile Dlamini, accused of orchestrating her husband’s murder, claimed during her bail hearing that foreign spaza shop owners may be responsible. She made the statement at the Springs Magistrate’s Court on Thursday while applying for bail.
Dlamini Denies Involvement in Husband’s Murder
Dlamini, 42, insists she played no role in the murder of her husband, an Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) officer. Her legal representative, Ephraim Thalane, argued that she was at a mall when the fatal shooting occurred.
“On February 7, 2025, in the morning, unknown individuals shot my husband at our spaza shop in Kwa-Thema while I was attending a stock delivery,” Dlamini said in her statement. “He sustained fatal injuries. At the time, I was at the mall.”
She rushed home and found police managing the crime scene. Officers escorted her inside, where she answered questions regarding possible enemies her husband may have had.
Claims of Retaliation by Foreign Shop Owners
Dlamini told officers that she knew of no direct threats against her husband. However, she claimed there were rumors that Pakistani nationals were hiring hitmen in retaliation for their eviction from spaza shops in the area.
Allegations of Police Brutality
During her court statement, Dlamini alleged police officers humiliated and assaulted her during questioning. She described a four-hour ordeal in which officers stripped her, forced her to wear a nappy, and covered her head with an evidence bag.
“One officer sat on top of me, suffocating me while slapping me,” she alleged.
Victim’s Family Speaks Out
Earlier this month, the victim’s sister, Sindi Skosana, condemned the toxic nature of Dlamini’s marriage. She revealed that her brother had reported verbal and physical abuse before his death. She also accused Dlamini of previously attempting to poison him.
Co-Accused Abandons Bail Application
The alleged hitman, Nhliziyozabantu Makwanyana, abandoned his bail application. Both Makwanyana and Dlamini face charges of murder and conspiracy to commit murder. The court postponed the case to March 4 for the State’s response to the bail application.
