Africa-Press – South-Africa. A North West woman allegedly opened a case against her police officer husband to ensure that the SAPS took his firearm so he would be unable to defend himself against the hitmen she hired to kill him.
Thomas Mashimbi was killed in February 2018, and police arrested his wife and four other people more than a year later in September 2019 for allegedly plotting the murder.
Mamokgethi Gertrude Mashimbi, 41; Thandi Margaret Khumalo, 38; William Maluleka, 32; Nicholas Malope, 35; and Jan Chauke, 28, are on trial in the North West High Court. The trial is expected to run until Friday, according to NPA spokesperson Henry Mamothame.
The five have been charged with the murder of Thomas Mashimbi and also face various other charges, including conspiracy or incitement to commit murder, housebreaking and unlawful possession of a firearm.
According to Mamothame, police investigations revealed that between 7 and 24 January 2018, Mamokgethi Mashimbi approached two people and conspired with them to commit a robbery at their marital home in Lebanon near Winterveld.
Mamothame said:
The two have become state witnesses.
After the robbery didn’t materialise, Mamokgethi allegedly approached Khumalo, who arranged a meeting with the other three accused to allegedly plot the murder, said Mamothame.
On 21 February 2018, Mamokgethi allegedly ensured that the gates and kitchen door were not properly closed to facilitate entry into the premises, added Mamothame.
Maluleka, Malope and Chauke are accused of entering the house, shooting Thomas and fleeing with two cellphones, a TV and around R20 000 cash.
According to Mamothame, further investigations revealed that Mamokgethi had gone to the police three months before the murder, complained that her husband was abusing her and requested a protection order.
“The order was granted, and Mashimbi’s (Thomas’) firearm was confiscated as a result, pending the outcome of a SAPS internal process to ascertain his fitness to possess a firearm. The State argues that this was part of a plan to disarm the deceased to prevent him from defending himself when the attack was executed,” said Mamothame.
The trial continues and all the accused remain in custody.
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