The police officer, who allegedly killed the woman who was expecting his triplets, appeared before the Ixopo Magistrates' Court yesterday. The 48-year-old sergeant Mbuyiseni Gema was remanded in custody after the case was postponed to Friday for a formal bail application.

Gema is alleged to have killed Busisiwe Mathembi Ngubo last week in the Ehlanzeni area in Ixopo on the south coast of KwaZulu Natal. Initially, it was thought that the 35-year-old Ngubo was expecting twins, however following her death, post-modem revealed that she was carrying three boys. The couple had been dating for more than three years. It's alleged that Ngubo was strangled and her body was dumped on the roadside on August 14th. According to the police, Ngubo was also due to have Caesarean section when she was murdered.

A spokesperson for the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) Robbie Raburabu confirmed Gema's arrest and that he is facing a charge of murder. Raburabu said in addition to the murder charge, the accused may face further charges of dealing in dagga after a stash of dagga and other exhibits were found at his home after his arrest. Ngubo's family shared a voice note recording in which the deceased informed her sister-in-law of her intention to meet her police officer boyfriend outside their home, with plans to arrange their hospital trip the following day.

National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara confirmed that Ngubo was heavily pregnant with triplets at the time of her murder. "The case was remanded to 25 August 2023 for a formal bail application. The state will oppose the application," she said. Addressing community members who came in their numbers to protest outside court during Gema's court appearance, provincial Social Development MEC Nonhlanhla Khoza called on men and police to lead from the front to expose those involved in Gender-Based Violence. She said as women of the Harry Gwala Region, they are in pain about what happened, but that she believes that justice will take its course. "We are very happy with the collaborative effort between the public and law enforcement agencies in apprehending the suspect. We cannot afford to see women continue to be killed like this," she said. We want to see this man rot in prison," she said. Khoza added that she wants to see police lead marches against Gender-Based Violence. "Police must also clean their reputation when one of their own, who is supposed to protect women, is being accused of killing. We need a society to reject those who abuse women and children," She pleaded with the communities to continue supporting the Ngubo family as Gema will reappear for bail on Friday. "We must be united to fight the scourge of Gender-Based Violence."