A Soshanguve couple, Sibusiso Mahlangu (33) and Lerato Mahlangu (32) abandoned their bail application at the Soshanguve Magistrates’ Court yesterday. The pair is facing charges of premeditated murder, defeating the administration of justice and fraud.

ALLEGED MURDERERS AND FRAUDSTERS

National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana says it is alleged that on 02 January 2022, the couple killed a man who was the woman’s ex and baby daddy and burnt the body of the deceased at their house in Block HH, Soshanguve. Thereafter, the wife, Lerato, allegedly obtained a fraudulent death certificate from the Department of Home Affairs, claiming that her husband Sibusiso, died in the fire and later claimed life policies. The couple was arrested on 20 April 2023, after the husband was found in possession of a stolen car in Hammanskraal. "Upon his arrest and processing, it was discovered that he was registered as deceased. The accused will be appearing on 29 May 2023, for the Hammanskraal matter at Hammanskraal Magistrates’ Court. However, for the murder case, the matter was adjourned to 29 June 2023, for further investigation."

DECEASED FAMILY HAPPY

The deceased’s family said they were happy that the couple abandoned bail although it will not bring their loved one back. The brother, Sean Sithebe told ZiMoja that he hopes they don’t change their minds and later apply for bail. "They deserve to rot in jail, they robbed my brother’s children of time with their father, and now they are only left with memories that will fade because all three of them are young. It is really sad, Sibusiso didn’t deserve to die like that."