'Husband confessed to murder of wife'

A husband of one of the businesswomen who were killed in a suspected hit two months ago in Polokwane, Limpopo, has confessed to his active role in the plot to murder his wife, according to police.

Warrant Officer Gerard Kotze told the Polokwane magistrate's court that Thabo Leshabane, 57, confessed to one of his colleagues, Capt Richard Boshomane, that he had hired the four men he is co-accused with to kill his wife, Makoena Mabusela-Leshabane, 46, and her friend Tebogo Mphuti, 35.

Kotze is testifying in the bail application of Leshabane, John Zulu, 30, Ndondo Buthelezi, 25, Bhekimeze Phiyose, 35, and Thembelani Dlamini, 30, who are charged with the double murder and possession of illegal firearms and ammunition.

According to Kotze, the other four suspects were captured on video camera as they were killing the two women at close range.

“Mabusela was the driver of a black Mercedes-Benz SUV and was shot 10 times in the upper body. Mphuti was shot four times. Both died at the scene,” he said.

Kotze added that the four suspects were placed at the crime scene through their cellphone records and vehicle tracking system.

“After we got the description of the red Hyundai vehicle used in the murder, we went to the tollgate to check if the same car travelled to Polokwane. Indeed the outcome came out positive and traced the car and subsequently found the owner,” he said.

Mabusela-Leshabane's sister Peggy Mafojane said they are happy about the new developments.

“We are happy that the evidence against the accused is overwhelming. I mean the video footage, tollgate system and phone calls helped the police to solve the case,” Mafojane said.

Mabusela-Leshabane was a senior aviation finance consultant while Mphuti was in the construction and property sectors. The two friends were shot dead at point-blank range in what was suspected to be hits from the outset.

They were ambushed when they were about to view a warehouse to rent in Magna Via, Polokwane, on October 10.