The state is expected to call more of its witnesses to prove its case. Meanwhile, the five accused will remain in police custody until the matter is concluded. The 41-year-old Mamokgethe Gertrude Mashimbye, 38-year-old Thandi Margaret Khumalo, 32-year-old William Maluleka, 35-year-old Nicholas Malope and 28-year-old Jan Chauke are charged with the murder of Thomas Mashimbye, a former police officer who was married to Mashimbi. 

The five accused are also charged with two counts of conspiracy or incitement to commit murder, housebreaking with intent to kill, murder with aggravating circumstances, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, fraud — on accused one only — and perjury — on accused one only.

North West National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Henry Mamothame, explains that police investigations revealed that between 7 and 24 January 2018, Mashimbye approached two individuals, who are now state witnesses, and incited them to commit a planned robbery at their marital home in Lebanon, near Winterveldt. The two allegedly failed to commit to the proposition but reported the matter to the police. 

Protection order requested

She then approached Khumalo, who arranged a meeting with the other three accused. Mamothame adds that reports also revealed that meetings were conducted between 7 and 24 February 2018, to plot the execution of the plan to murder Thomas Mashimbye. He says that on 21 February 2018, Gertrude Mashimbye allegedly ensured that the gates and kitchen door were not properly closed to facilitate entry into the premises. Mamothame further alleged that Mashimbye went to the police on 10 November 2017, and complained that her husband was abusing her, thus requesting a protection order. 

The order was granted and Mashimbye’s firearm was confiscated as a result, pending the outcome of the SAPS internal process to ascertain his fitness to possess a firearm. According to Mamothame, the state argues that this was part of the plan to disarm the deceased, to prevent him from defending himself when the attack is executed.

He adds that on 21 February 2018, Maluleka, Malope and Chauke allegedly entered the house and shot at the deceased, subsequently escaping the scene with two cellphones, a television set and money, estimated at R20 000. He further alleges that Gertrude and two of their children were in the house when the plan unfolded, and she was unharmed during the commission of the crime. 

All suspects were arrested between 18 and 19 September 2019.

OFM News