KwaThema – “I will not forgive my son’s killer!” These are the words of the grieving mother of murdered Sibusiso Mthombeni (42). Mthombeni was shot and killed on March 6 last year and his body was found in an open veld next to Ntokozweni Primary School. His widow, Nonhlanhla Matiwane (41), was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment in the Springs Magistrate’s Court on Thursday for orchestrating her husband’s murder. The sentence comes after Matiwane continuously changed her plea from guilty to not guilty during the course of the trial even after she confessed to police to hiring a hitman to kill her husband. She promised to pay the hitman R80 000 from the insurance policy.
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Matiwane’s daughter told the court her mother would have received a R1.2-million pay-out from the insurance policy after Mthombeni’ death. Before magistrate Khensani Moila handed down the sentence, Matiwane requested through her lawyer Lehabe Molefe to ask the Mthombeni family to forgive her and to make peace with her four children. The couple had two children together, aged 11 and 12, while Mathiwane has two other children, aged 18 and 24. The deceased’s mother Thelma Mthombeni said even though she feels the sentence is too light she accepts it. “I was hoping she would receive a life sentence for cutting my son’s life short, she deserves it. “She took away his right to life and to see his children grow for her selfish reasons, and for that I will never forgive her. “Unfortunately, with this sentence she will one day walk-out of prison and pick up her life where she left off, but my son will not enjoy the same privilege. “Since Sibusiso’s death, my health has spiraled out of control because I depended on him for support both physically and emotionally,” she said. While handing down her sentence, Moila said even though Matiwane pleaded guilty she found she was not remorseful for her actions. “You might have started planning your husband’s murder from the six months you separated. “You caused your children pain by taking their father away; no one has the right to take another person’s life. “You decided to cut his life short to gain access to the R1.2-m payout, according to your daughter’s interview statement.” Sibusiso’s suspected killers, Phumlani Tshabalala, Mzandile Master Mbatha, Mduduzi Richard Sithole and Mongiseni Cyprian Langa, were among nine suspects who escaped from the Springs Magistrate’s Court on December 4 after an appearance in court.
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Kwa-Thema police spokesperson Sgt Media Khoza confirmed that one of the suspects was re-arrested and still to stand trial. “Now that the case has been decided on, we will start properly mourning and healing from Sibusiso’s death,” said Thelma. The emotionally distraught mother added she is not ready to forgive Matiwani. “I can’t believe she expects me to forgive her for killing my son, she knew and understood what she was doing but that didn’t stop her in carrying out the hit. “We will continue taking care of my son’s children but I am not ready to forgive her,” she said. Follow us on: 
