A suspected love triangle is at the centre of the murder case against two women accused of killing Jabulile Ntimba at Villa Liza, Boksburg, in Ekurhuleni. According to the state, Ntimba was in a relationship with the husband of one of the accused, Fortunate Masilela. This relationship allegedly led to Ntimba's murder. The two women, Masilela and Tsakane Msithini, briefly appeared in the Boksburg magistrate's court on Monday, facing charges of murder and defeating or obstructing the course of justice.
Ntimba's body was found last week in Villa Liza, making her the ninth woman to be found dead in Ekurhuleni in the past two weeks. This has prompted heightened police interventions, with resources being pumped into the investigation. The National Prosecuting Authority said the two women allegedly knew Ntimba and were with her on the night of the incident. A third suspect, a man, was arrested with the two women but was released on Monday due to insufficient evidence to charge him.
The state alleges that Msithini is the sister of Masilela's husband, adding a familial dimension to the case. The court heard that both women have no previous convictions or pending matters. Masilela is a mother of five, all of whom are minors. The women appeared in tracksuits and requested SiSwati interpretation during the proceedings. The state said it has enough evidence against the pair to proceed with the case.
Deputy national police commissioner Lt-Gen Tebello Mosikili said investigators were still conducting follow-ups, including possible links to the other eight reported deaths in the area. Mosikili explained that after taking in the three suspects for questioning, the team found it fit to proceed with the cases of the two accused persons, while the third person was let go due to the 48-hour policy.
Masilela and Msithini were remanded in custody until October 1 for a formal bail application. During the proceedings, the court ruled that the media should not use pictures of the two women, as doing so could jeopardise police investigations. The pair will appear before the Boksburg Magistrates court following their arrest over the weekend in relation to the ninth body discovered in Villa Liza.
The arrest of Masilela and Msithini is part of the ongoing efforts to address the killings of women in Ekurhuleni. The police investigation led to the recovery of items believed to belong to the deceased. The case has garnered significant attention, with many calling for increased safety measures for women in the area.
The case will continue on October 1, when Masilela and Msithini will make a formal bail application. The state has expressed confidence in its evidence against the pair, and the court has taken steps to protect the integrity of the investigation. The love triangle at the heart of the case has raised questions about the nature of the relationships involved and the motives behind the alleged murder.
Key points
- The suspected love triangle involved Jabulile Ntimba and the husband of one of the accused, Fortunate Masilela.
- Ntimba's murder is linked to a series of killings of women in Ekurhuleni, with nine bodies found in the past two weeks.
- The two accused women, Masilela and Tsakane Msithini, have been remanded in custody until October 1 for a formal bail application.
