Wife of murdered EMPD officer gets bail  

Springs – The Springs Magistrate’s Court today granted bail of R10 000 to Sbongile Dlamini when she appeared for the fourth time.

Dlamini stands accused of murdering EMPD officer Banele Skosana (33), who was her customary husband. Magistrate Pravina Lazarus said the court considered the application and found Dlamini had shown there were exceptional circumstances for her bail.

Dlamini has a 15-year-old son with special needs. Although the State claimed the maternal grandmother was the child’s primary caregiver, the magistrate was satisfied with the evidence that showed Dlamini did participate in the child’s care.

Banele’s brother, Lunga Skosana, said the family was unsurprised that Dlamini got bail and felt disappointed.

“The law has taken its course. We will come back here every time until the last day of this trial. This case is not just about us but every person who has committed this type of act. Getting bail does not mean that she is off the hook. We will remain patient,” he said.

Although some family members and friends were visibly emotional, Skosana encouraged the community to let the prosecution do its work.

Previously, Dlamini claimed EMPD officers tortured her into confessing to the murder. However, Lazarus said the alleged events could not be considered in the bail application but would be explored during the trial.

In a written affidavit read by her attorney, Dlamini told the court she was tortured for hours on February 14. The court heard how officers took her to the Kwa-Thema SAPS after her apprehension.

There, she claims she was in a room with a few officers, who insisted she tell the truth about her involvement in her husband’s murder.

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Dlamini also admitted that she knew her co-defendant but not as Nhliziyozabantu Magwanyana. She claims she and the deceased met Magwanyana when they were interested in buying a display fridge from him. She admitted to speaking to him on the phone a few times.

Dlamini said the last time she spoke to Magwanyana was on the morning of Skosana’s murder. She said Magwanyana said he would deliver the fridge that day.

Dlamini was arrested on February 14 after the arrest of Magwanyana on February 10 at the Kwa-Thema Hostel.

Magwanyana admitted to the crime, and his confession linked Dlamini to the investigation. Magwanyana also later claimed officers tortured him before he confessed. He has not applied for bail.

Skosana was shot on Vilakazi Street in Kwa-Thema on the morning of February 7. The court postponed the matter to May 2 for further investigation.