Sibusiso Mahlangu, a Soshanguve man who is suspected of staging his own death after killing his wife’s alleged lover, Sibusiso Sithebe, testified in court that he was horrified to learn that his wife, Lerato, was having an extramarital affair with Sithebe.
Mahlangu stated in his testimony that the realization caused him to feel inadequate as a man and caused him to leave their marital residence.
Mahlangu and Lerato, his spouse, are accused of killing Sithebe in January 2022, with the latter’s body purportedly set ablaze.
The pair is charged with passing off Sithebe’s body as Mahlangu’s, which is how Lerato allegedly got paid half a million rand from a life insurance policy.
During his evidence on Tuesday, October 1, Mahlangu described the events that led up to Sithebe’s killing. He admitted that he learnt of the affair on the same day that Sithebe was slain.
“We were preparing to go to my mother’s house for New Year’s Day lunch with my wife and two kids. That day, I wasn’t happy because I found out that my wife was cheating,” Mahlangu said.
Mahlangu mentioned that he felt aloof from Lerato at the family meal because he was seated beside his sister rather than his spouse. She allegedly sought to justify her infidelity later, on their way to the taxi stand for Lerato’s trip to Mpumalanga.
Mahlangu claimed he felt incredibly sad and as though he had let his family down, so he dropped her off, parked his car at a repair, and went to a friend’s house in Silverton to get his thoughts straight.
Mahlangu was taken into custody in Hammanskraal in April 2023 after his then-girlfriend’s stolen vehicle was discovered in his hands. Subsequently, he and Lerato were accused of killing Sithebe. The trial is still ongoing.
A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.
Nnamdi Okoli
