KEY POINTS
- A Mpumalanga police sergeant, Nyiko Nyathi, has been accused of orchestrating the murder of her husband, Lawrence Mashego, and his friend, Victoria Lebyane, in a case that has shocked the community.
- Four suspects were arrested, with one pleading guilty and receiving a 77-year sentence; investigations revealed Nyathi’s alleged involvement as the mastermind.
- The case has sparked public outrage, with calls for justice and greater accountability within law enforcement, as Nyathi faces a bail application amid protests.
Nyathi Nyiko, a police sergeant from Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga, has been accused of orchestrating the brutal murder of her husband and his female friend, sending shockwaves through the community and raising questions about corruption within law enforcement.
Nyathi, 42, a serving officer stationed at Bushbuckridge SAPS, is expected to appear in the Bushbuckridge Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday for a bail application.
The case has drawn widespread attention, with many expressing outrage over the alleged involvement of a law enforcement officer in such a heinous crime.
The tragic events unfolded in February when Nyathi’s husband, Lawrence Mashego, 44, was attacked by a group of armed men in his home in Boikustong Trust.
Sowetanlive reports that the assailants, who later implicated Nyathi in the crime during police investigations, robbed Mashego of his Toyota Quantum and Ford Escort before kidnapping him.
According to Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdhluli, “The two vehicles were reportedly used by the armed suspects as a mode of transport to reach a certain house in Zoeknoeg. At the house, they found Victoria Lebyane, 44, Mashego’s female friend, in possession of Mashego’s bank cards.”
Lebyane was robbed of the bank cards and R4,000 in cash before being fatally shot by the suspects. Mashego met the same fate shortly afterward.
The double murder sparked an intensive police investigation, leading to the arrest of four suspects.
One of the suspects pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 77 years in prison. During the investigation, Nyathi was identified as the alleged mastermind behind the murders.
Case reignites gender-based violence debates
The case has also reignited debates about gender-based violence and the abuse of power within law enforcement.
Nyathi’s bail application has been met with fierce opposition from community members, who gathered outside the court to demand justice for the victims. “We cannot allow someone who swore to protect us to betray that trust in such a horrific way,” said one protester.
As the case unfolds, the families of Mashego and Lebyane are left grappling with their loss.
The community, meanwhile, is calling for stricter measures to root out corruption and criminality within the police force.
The trial is expected to be closely watched, with many hoping it will set a precedent for accountability.
