African National Congress MP, Sibusiso Kula has in the past threatened to kill himself and his three children when his wife Jennifer Motlhomi-Kula wanted to leave him. This was revealed at the Orkney Magistrate court on Tuesday during Kula's bail application hearing.  

MURDER SUICIDE THREATS

Motlhomi-Kula's mother Momonyane Mothlomi (72) has expressed relief after the court denied Kula bail. She said the accused has on one occasion threatened to kill himself and his children. She said Kula often made these comments to frustrate her daughter when they were not on speaking terms. "I am happy that he was denied bail. He is a dangerous man. He ill-treated his wife and children. His children's lives would have been at risk if he was released on bail," Mothlomi adding that Kula once threatened to drive his car carrying his children off a bridge.

NO BAIL

Kula was denied bail by the Orkney Magistrates court on Tuesday. He was arrested on 20 January and charged with the murder of his wife who was stabbed to death in November 2021. He has been behind bars since then. When giving testimony during his bail hearing, Kula told the court that he was not home on the day of the incident. "I came home and found my wife bleeding from her ears with stab wounds, and I immediately took her to the hospital where she was pronounced dead," he said. Mothlomi said she was happy with the court not granting her son-in-law bail.  "He has a history of violence. We are happy with the court's judgement," she added.

NO ONE IS SAFE AROUND HIM

Magistrate Liesel Esterhuizen who presided over the matter said that Kula was also a danger to himself. This after it was revealed that he threatened to kill himself and his three children. "When making a decision, the court looks at the nature and gravity of the charge, the strength of the case against the accused, and the punishment to be imposed should he be convicted. The State claimed there was a time when he took the children by force from the deceased and threatened to kill them and later himself. The children were once moved to their maternal grandparents because they couldn't be in that environment," 

FLIGHT RISK

Esterhuizen added that Kula is well travelled and often has overseas trips and has friends abroad which will make it easier for him to flee the country. Esterhuizen further said Kula is likely to threaten and intimidate witnesses if he is released on bail. "There is also a likelihood he could undermine and jeopardise the justice system's proper functioning, including the bail system. Also, we cannot turn a blind eye on the fact that the public is enraged by this act of brutality therefore, should he be released, public peace and security will be disturbed," she said. 

FINANCIAL ABUSE CLAIMS 

Beside the physical and emotional abuse, it emerged in court that Kulawas also financially abusing his family. With a salary of R1.1 million per annum, his children were receiving child support grants from Sassa. Esterhuizen said the court cannot ignore the fact that there was a protection order against the accused by the deceased and their children were SASSA grant recipients. "He testified that he was the sole breadwinner of his household. He mentioned that there were disputes between him and the deceased, and one involved child maintenance and such conflicts were resolved with consensus and not through the court," she added.

She said currently, their children have been taken away by social workers and the State has a strong case against the applicant.