The suspect, Sgt. Nyiko Nyathi
By Deborah Mpuhlungu
The police have arrested a 42-year-old female police sergeant, Nyiko Nyathi in connection with the kidnapping and brutal murder of her husband and his ‘female friend’ in Mpumalanga, South Africa.
The officer handed herself over to authorities at Bushbuckridge police station, according to Mpumalanga provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Donald Mdhluli.
She appeared before the Bushbuckridge Magistrate’s Court facing charges for the murder of her husband and another woman.
“According to information, in February 2024, Lawrence Alba Mashego, 44, was reportedly attacked by a group of armed men at his house in Boikhutsong Trust in Bushbuckridge.
”The armed men robbed him of his Toyota Quantum and Ford Escort, then he got kidnapped.
“The two vehicles were reportedly used by the armed suspects as a mode of transport to reach a certain house in Zoeknog.
“At the house, they found Victoria Lebyane, 44, Mashego’s female friend, in possession of Mashego’s bank cards,” said Mdhluli.
Lebyane was then robbed of about R4,000 cash as well as some bank cards belonging to Mashego.
After that, Mashego and Lebyane were murdered by the assailants.
“The matter was probed by the men and women in blue, where a thorough investigation was carried out.
“This led to the arrest of four suspects in connection with the incident.
“One of the suspects then pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 77 years imprisonment,” said Mdhluli.
As the police intensified their investigations, the police sergeant was implicated in the murder of her husband Mashego, and Lebyane.
Following the court appearance, the case was postponed to Wednesday, for a formal bail application.
Meanwhile, acting provincial commissioner of police in Mpumalanga, Maj-Gen. Zeph Mkhwanazi, has welcomed Nyathi’s arrest.
He emphasised that the law would take its course on anyone suspected to have committed crime, regardless of their social status or position.
“The SAPS remains resolute to be intolerant to any criminality within our ranks,” he said.
