KEY POINTS
- Sibongile Dlamini denied hiring hitmen and blamed foreign shop owners.
- She accused police of mistreating her during the investigation.
- The victim’s family believes their marriage was toxic before his murder.
Sibongile Dlamini, the wife of murdered Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) officer Banele Skosana, denied allegations that she orchestrated his killing, instead pointing fingers at foreign spaza shop owners.
Skosana was shot and killed by two unidentified men while opening his tuck shop in KwaThema, Ekurhuleni, on February 7.
During her bail application at the Springs Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, Dlamini’s attorney, Ephraim Thalane, argued that the 42-year-old had no involvement in her husband’s death.
Reading from her statement, Thalane said Dlamini was at the mall at the time of the shooting and was only informed about the incident later.
“On the morning of February 7, 2025, the deceased was shot by unknown individuals at our spaza shop in KwaThema while I was attending a stock delivery.
When I arrived at the scene, law enforcement was already there, and I was taken inside the house,” Dlamini stated.
She further alleged that foreign national shop owners might have been responsible for the attack. “There have been rumors in the area that Pakistani nationals have been hiring hitmen to retaliate after being evicted from KwaThema,” she claimed.
Allegations of police abuse emerge
Dlamini also accused the police of mistreating her during their investigation. She claimed she was subjected to humiliating treatment while in custody.
“I was ordered to remove my skirt and underwear and forced to wear a nappy. One officer sat on top of me, covered my head with an evidence bag, and attempted to suffocate me while slapping me,” she recounted.
According to IOL, her claims have raised concerns about the treatment of suspects in police custody. However, law enforcement officials have not publicly responded to the allegations.
Meanwhile, the alleged hitman, Nhliziyozabantu Makwanyana, chose to abandon his bail application.
Both Dlamini and Makwanyana have been charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
Skosana’s family speaks out
The victim’s family has expressed skepticism about Dlamini’s claims. Banele Skosana’s sister, Sindi Skosana, previously described the relationship between her brother and Dlamini as toxic.
Sindi revealed that her brother had reported instances of verbal and physical abuse at the hands of his wife.
She also alleged that just a month before his murder, there was an attempt to poison him.
“He told us about the abuse he was facing. They had only been married for two months, and there was already a failed food poisoning incident,” Sindi said.
The court has postponed the case to March 4 to allow the State to respond to Dlamini’s bail application.
