The man accused of the murder of his wife and her friend has refuted reports that he attempted to commit suicide.
Thabo Leshabane, the husband Makoena Mabusela-Leshabane, one of two businesswomen who were killed execution style while viewing a warehouse to rent in Polokwane last month, told the court that he overdosed on his tranquilizer but he was not committing suicide
Leshabane and four others – Ndondo Mbekezi Buthelezi, 25, John Richard Zulu, 30, Bhekinlenzo Sfiso Phigose, 34, and Emanuel Tembtiani Dlamini, 30, – appeared in the Polokwane magisatrate’s court on Tuesday on charges of murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
Mabusela-Leshabane, 46, a senior aviation finance consultant, and her friend Tebogo Mphuti, 35, who was in construction and property, were gunned down on October 10.
In an affidavit read by his lawyer John Mohoto, Leshabane said: “It is untrue that I attempted to commit suicide and was media speculation that I’m suicidal. I was tired after I had to deal with the death of my wife and I took some tranquilizers to rest,” he said.
Leshabane, who intends on pleading not guilty, said on the day he was taken to hospital, someone found him sleeping and took him to hospital. All the co-accused said they would also plead not guilty to the charges.
At the time of the arrest, police spokesperson Brig Motlafela Mojapelo said Leshabane was arrested in hospital where he was admitted after he allegedly attempted to commit suicide.
Leshabane, who said he is a businessman, told the court that he can afford R10,000 bail.
Buthelezi said he worked as a car guard at Germiston shopping complex. Zulu said he is an e-hailing driver while Phigose and Dlamini are taxi drivers in Germiston.
The men told the court that they can only afford R5,000 bail each.
Magistrate Jenin Ungerer postponed the matter to Friday for further investigations.
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