SA Husband, Hitmen Sentenced to Life for Murdering Wife and Partner

This case is a harrowing example of premeditated and orchestrated violence that led to the tragic loss of two lives, ultimately resulting in the imposition of life sentences for the perpetrators. The case revolves around the brutal murders of Makoena Mabusela-Leshabane, a Chartered Accountant, and her business partner, Tebogo Mphuti, who were gunned down in Polokwane on October 10, 2020. The crime was committed by hitmen hired by Makoena’s husband, Stanley Thabo Leshabane, who was one of the four men sentenced to life imprisonment by the Limpopo High Court in Polokwane on August 16, 2024.

The Incident and Investigation

The murders took place in the Polokwane Industrial area near Zune Street, where the victims were inspecting a property they intended to rent for business purposes. According to the testimony of an estate agent who met the victims that day, three men approached their Mercedes-Benz vehicle after the inspection and opened fire, killing both women on the spot.

The crime shocked the community and led to a thorough investigation, spearheaded by Warrant Officer Kotze. The investigation team utilized various methods, including reviewing CCTV footage, tracking vehicle movements through toll gates, and analyzing cellphone records, to piece together the events leading to the murders. The team discovered that the accused had followed the victims from their hotel in Gauteng to the crime scene in Polokwane, with cellphone data corroborating their movements alongside the victims’ vehicle.

The Role of Confessions and Testimonies

Key to the case was the confession of one of the accused, Richard Zulu, who admitted to a witness, Mamphoka, that he had been hired by Stanley Leshabane to kill his wife. This confession, along with the confession statement from Leshabane himself, provided detailed accounts of the planning and execution of the murders. Leshabane had provided the hitmen with a photograph of his wife, her vehicle’s registration number, and information about her location. He paid a deposit of R5,000, with the total amount agreed upon for the murders being R65,000.

The investigation also revealed extensive communication between the accused before, during, and after the murders, further implicating them in the crime. Although the ballistic expert’s analysis could not link the firearms found in possession of the accused to the crime scene, the overwhelming evidence from witness testimonies, cellphone records, and confessions led to their conviction.

The Court Proceedings and Sentencing

During the trial, the court heard testimonies from 22 witnesses, including emotional accounts from the victims’ family members. The stepson of Leshabane provided a Victim Impact Statement, describing the profound emotional toll the crime had taken on his family, particularly the minor children who required ongoing trauma counseling.

Senior State Advocate George Sekhukhune argued that the crime was meticulously planned, highlighting the accused’s deliberate choice of a remote location far from Gauteng to carry out the murders. He emphasized the significant loss to the community, noting that Makoena had been a pillar of support, providing jobs through her event company and donating to orphanages. He argued that the severity of the crime far outweighed any mitigating factors related to the accused’s personal circumstances and urged the court not to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence.

The judge, Geriet Muller, ultimately sentenced all four accused to life imprisonment for the murders, with additional sentences for possession of firearms and ammunition for one of the accused. The court’s decision was welcomed by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), with the Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Ivy Thenga, asserting that justice had been served and commending the investigative team for their diligent work in bringing the perpetrators to justice.

Impact on the Community

The murders not only devastated the victims’ families but also left a lasting impact on the community. Makoena’s contributions to local job creation and her charitable work were highlighted during the trial, underscoring the significant loss to the community. The case also serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of gender-based violence and the importance of justice in addressing such heinous crimes.

In conclusion, the life sentences handed down by the court reflect the gravity of the crime and serve as a stern warning against premeditated violence. The case also highlights the critical role of thorough investigations and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable, regardless of their personal circumstances.