The North West High Court on Friday postponed a case of murder against a 41-year-old wife and four other people to January.
The accused wife is charged alongside Thandi Margaret Khumalo, 38, William Maluleka, 32, Nicholas Malope, 35, and twenty-eight-year old Jan Chauke for the murder of former police officer Thomas Mashimbi.
The five accused have been remanded in police custody until their next appearance in court.
National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson Henry Mamothame said: “The five are further 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, and unlawful possession of ammunition.”
Accused number one is also charged with fraud and perjury.
During their court appearance on Friday, the state called the investigating officer to take the stand and give an account of the evidence gathered, linking the accused to the murder.
The officer is expected to continue his testimony and to be put through cross-examination when the matter resumes.
The state completed leading its evidence with an expert from a cellphone network provider, demonstrating a link in communication between the accused in plotting the murder.
The defence attorneys have also completed cross-examining the witnesses.
An investigation has revealed that Gertrude Mashimbi approached two individuals between January 7 and January 24 2018, who have now turned state witnesses.
An investigation further revealed that Gertrude incited the individuals to commit a robbery at her home in Lebanon near Winterveldt.
The two failed to commit to the proposition but instead reported the matter to the police. She then approached Khumalo, who arranged meetings with three other accused.
According to police reports, the meetings were conducted between January 7 until January 24 2018 to plot the murder of the woman’s husband.
Mamothame detailed how the crime was executed.
“On 21 February 2018, Gertrude Mashimbi allegedly ensured that the gates and kitchen door were not properly closed to facilitate entry into the premises.
“It is further alleged that Gertrude Mashimbi went to the police on 10 November 2017 and complained that her husband was abusing her, thus requesting a protection order.
“The order was granted and Mashimbi’s firearm was confiscated as a result, pending the outcome of the SAPS internal process to ascertain his fitness to possess a firearm.
“The state argues that this was part of the plan to disarm the deceased, to prevent him from defending himself when the attack is executed.”
Gertrude is said to have proceeded with her plan to murder her husband.
“It is alleged that on 21 February 2018, Maluleka, Malope, and Chauke entered the house and shot at the deceased, subsequently escaping the scene with two cellphones, a TV set, and money estimated at R20 000.
“It is alleged that Gertrude and two of their children were in the house when the plan unfolded, and she was unharmed during the commissioning of the crime.
“They were all arrested between 18 and 19 September 2019,” Mamothame said.
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