Police have launched a manhunt after they found the decomposed body of a 13-year-old girl. Image: Pixabay
Alleged killer-wife in court for plotting husband’s murder
A wife who conspired to murder her husband and her four co-accused are in court on trail for murder and conspiracy to murder.
Police have launched a manhunt after they found the decomposed body of a 13-year-old girl. Image: Pixabay
The wife of a former police officer accused of plotting to murder her husband and her four accomplices appeared in court on Monday, 9 January 2023.
WIFE PLOTTED TO MURDER HER HUSBAND IN THEIR HOME
The 41-year-old Mamokgethe Gertrude Mashimbi is charged with murder after she allegedly conspired with her co-accused to murder her husband, Thomas Mshimbi, a former police officer.
Mashimbi is standing trail with 38-year-old Thandi Margaret Khumalo, 32-year-old William Maluleka, 35-year-old Nicholas Malope, and 28-year-old Jan Chauke.
They all appeared in the High Court of South Africa, North West Division at the Ga-Rankuwa District Court.
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Henry Mamothame, National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Regional Spokesperson said the accused allegedly murdered Mashimbi’s husband.
DECEASED WAS A FORMER POLICEMAN
They are 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, and perjury.
Police investigations reveal that between 7 and 24 January 2018, Mashimbi approached two individuals, now state witnesses, and incited them to commit a planned robbery at their marital home in Lebanon, near Winterveldt.
Mamothame said the two failed to commit the murder and instead reported the matter to the police.
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WIFE HAD ARANGED MEETINGS TO PLOT HER HUSBANDS MURDER
Mashimbi then approached Khumalo, who arranged a meeting with the other three accused, and allegedly they plotted to murder Thomas.
“On 21 February 2018, Gertrude Mashimbi allegedly ensured that the gates and kitchen door were not properly closed to facilitate entry into the premises.”
Henry Mamothame
The court heard that Mashimbi went to the police on 10 November 2017 and complained that her husband was abusing her.
She was granted a protection order.
Mamothame said pending the outcome of the police’s internal process, police confiscated Thomas’ pistol.
The state argues that this was part of the wife’s plot to disarm the deceased, to prevent him from defending himself at the time of his murder.
On 21 February 2018, Maluleka, Malope, and Chauke entered the house and shot the deceased.
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They fled with two cellphones, a TV set, and cash estimated at R20 000.
Mashimbi and two of their children were allegedly in the house when the plan unfolded.
The trial continues tomorrow, 10 January 2023. The accused remain in police custody.
