Some of the rescuers involved with the dam recovery, believe that he staged his drowning at Loskop Dam on 30 September, to spite his estranged wife, Ms Phumzile Paka, a provincial traffic officer, whom he allegedly attempted to kill last Sunday.
Both Mrs Paka and her underage child, is still under police protection, following her abduction from the provincial traffic offices last Sunday.
She told police that Thabethe arrived at her office with an unknown car, demanding to have a private talk with her.
She insisted that he talked to her at the office, where she felt safe being surrounded by colleagues.
He allegedly wouldn’t take no for an answer, produced a firearm and forced her from the building, into the car.
He sped off with her towards the Hendrina road, continuously assaulting her verbally and physically.
In the vicinity of Columbus, the argument got so heated, that Thabethe allegedly fired a shot at Ms Paka.
The bullet flew past her head into the roof of the car, spurring her to jump from the vehicle, and run to safety.
She alerted the police and colleagues who rushed to the scene, only to find Thabethe had fled.
On Sunday, his attorney phoned the police, confirming that Thabethe was set to hand himself over the next day, with the illegal gun.
He was arrested and charged the minute he walked into the police station on Monday morning.
According to police, he was hiding in Nelspruit from where he contacted his wife two days after the shooting, unaware that she’s been placed in witness protection. Thabethe appeared in court on Monday, and was refused bail.
The case was remanded to Tuesday, when his formal bail application will be heard.
The state will oppose bail as Thabethe failed to hand over the weapon.
He allegedly gave it back to the lawful owner, who will possibly be charged with gun negligence, for allowing the weapon to fall into dangerous hands.
•Ms Paka refused to speak to the Observer this week, despite an agreement for an interview after Thabethe’ arrest.
