Sibusiso and Lerato Mahlangu are appearing in the Soshanguve Magistrate Court today. They stand accused of murdering another man, burning his body and passing it off as Sibusiso’s to claim his life insurance.
Lerato had reported to authorities that Sibusiso had died in a fire at their RDP home last January. The couple was arrested after police pulled over a suspected stolen vehicle earlier this month and found Sibusiso behind the wheel.
The case is in court today for a formal bail application. The defence says they are not ready to proceed right now, and is asking for a postponement.
The due is currently being represented by Legal Aid, but the court has also now heard they plan on securing private representation ahead of their next appearance in court for bail application.
Magistrate has granted postponement for the case. The pair is now due in court on 18 May, to make their application for bail.
Critics said this duo must not be represented by legal aid, but must hire their own lawyers due to the nature of the crime which they are facing. They are facing murder charges and defeating the ends of justice.
“They must not be funded by public money considering the nature of charges against them,” said a social critic.
The story of this married couple has reminded South Africans that there are many people who are committing this type of crime, and some are never caught.
Some have dubbed them as the Thabo Bester of Soshanguve. Burning of another body and passing it to claim life insurance is something that takes a lot of guts to do it. No ordinary human being in their right mind will soberly do such a thing.
The two planned, and played their cards well, but as fate would have it, they could not get away with crime.
In the Soshanguve Magistrates Court today for the appearance of Sibusiso and Lerato Mahlangu. They stand accused of murdering another man, burning his body and passing it off as Sibusiso’s to claim his life insurance. BW pic.twitter.com/4VOX4QCm7s
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) May 4, 2023