Convicted murderer Thandi Maqubela makes second bid for freedom

Convicted murderer Thandi Sheryl Maqubela tried once again yesterday to overturn her conviction for killing her husband, acting Western Cape High Court judge Patrick Maqubela.

Five justices heard her appeal which was based on whether or not the state had proved his death was unnatural and if it was permissible for the trial court to amend the charge sheet to allege he “died from a cause unknown to the state” and then convict Maqubela on that basis.

Patrick was allegedly suffocated with cling wrap. However, towards the end of the trial the charge was changed to add the alternative option “causing his death by means unknown to the state”.

Thandi was convicted on the alternative charge and sentenced to 15 years imprisonment by Judge John Murphy in the Western Cape High Court.

Her co-accused Vela Mabena was acquitted on all charges.

She was also found guilty of fraud and forgery of her husband’s will, in that she left his children out and her daughter from another marriage was written into the will.

She received three years for each charge which ran concurrently, bringing her effective sentence to 18 years, including the 15 years she received for murdering her husband.

Patrick was found in June 2009 in his Bantry Bay flat, wrapped in a sheet in a room.

Murphy found Maqubela had escaped a life sentence because the state had not proved there was a conspiracy beyond reasonable doubt. The matter was held over for decision.

ALSO READ: 

//

For more news your way, follow The Citizen on Facebook and Twitter.