Almost four years after the brutal murder of two Johannesburg businesswomen, justice has been served as their killers, including the husband of one of the victims, were sentenced to life imprisonment.
On Friday, August 16, 2024, the Limpopo High Court in Polokwane, South Africa, sentenced Stanley Thabo Leshabane (58), Mbekelezi Ndodo Buthelezi (28), Emmanuel Thembelani Dlamini (33), and Bhekizenzo Sfiso Phiyose (36) to life imprisonment for the murders of Makoena Mabusela-Leshabane and Tebogo Mphuti. Additionally, Ndodo Buthelezi received a three-year sentence for possession of firearms and a one-year sentence for ammunition possession.
The murders occurred on October 10, 2020, in the Polokwane Industrial area near Zune Street. Makoena Mabusela-Leshabane, a chartered accountant, and her business partner, Tebogo Mphuti, were killed while seated inside a Mercedes-Benz. The attack was carried out by hitmen hired by Makoena’s husband, Stanley Leshabane, while the victims were inspecting a property.
The state presented evidence from 22 witnesses. According to the estate agent who met the deceased on that day, the victims were viewing a property they intended to rent for their business. After their viewing, as they returned to their vehicle, three men approached carrying what appeared to be firearms and began shooting at them.
Witness Dipenaar testified that he heard gunshots and saw the estate agent trying to reverse her car while three men ran towards a maroon vehicle that then sped away. The investigating officer, W/O Kotze, detailed how CCTV footage from nearby buildings and toll gate records were used to trace the suspects. Further investigation revealed the car used by the suspects belonged to Richard Zulu, who died before the trial began. Police tracked down Buthelezi, Dlamini, and Phiyose using GPS coordinates and arrested them.
During their arrest, the suspects’ cellphones were seized. Expert testimony revealed that the cellphones of Dlamini, Zulu, and Phiyose tracked parallel to the victims’ vehicle on the day of the crime. Additionally, Mamphoka testified that Zulu had confessed to him about being contracted to kill Leshabane’s wife by Stanley Leshabane, who had provided details and a deposit for the murder.
Ballistic evidence confirmed that the firearm found with Buthelezi was not the one used in the crime. Despite the accused’s claims of not knowing each other, the court accepted the state’s evidence and convicted all four of murder. Buthelezi was additionally convicted of firearms and ammunition possession, while Leshabane, Dlamini, and Phiyose were acquitted of these charges.
Court Preparation Officer Morongwe Moifo provided emotional support to the witnesses, and victim impact statements highlighted the profound effect of the crime. The stepson of Leshabane described the ongoing trauma and loss experienced by the family, including the impact on the deceased’s children.
Senior State Advocate George Sekhukhune argued that the crime was meticulously planned, with the accused selecting a location far from Gauteng to avoid detection. He emphasized the community’s loss and the personal contributions of Makoena to local charities and employment.
Judge Geriet Muller sentenced the accused to life imprisonment. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomed the sentence, with Director of Public Prosecutions Advocate Ivy Thenga stating that justice had been served. She also praised the investigating team, led by Captain Richard Boshomane and Advocate Sekhukhune, for their efforts.
