Byline: Refeloe Letsoisa
01 November 2023
Zanele Mkhonto (28) was remanded in custody by the Mbombela High Court on Wednesday, 01 November 2023 for a guilty plea.
This followed the investigation into the murder of a police officer, the late Sgt. Mandlenkosi Happy Thwala (45), who was murdered on Tuesday night, 02 August 2022 in Gedlembane, Pienaar.
During the investigation led by the Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit in Nelspruit, Mkhonto, the girlfriend of the late Thwala, was linked to the murder and arrested. Mkhonto was then charged on Wednesday, 10 August 2022.
She appeared at Kanyamazane Magistrates’ Court on the same day and was remanded in custody.
The accused received the services of Legal Aid and battled in court on several occasions to obtain bail. She was denied bail and has remained in custody since then.
The case was postponed to Thursday, 02 November 2023 for a guilty plea.
The Provincial Head of the Hawks, Major General Gerber, applauded the investigating officer and the prosecution authorities for their collaboration during the investigation of this case.
He further encourages the public to keep on providing information to the police regarding criminal activities that are happening in their area and indicates that all information received will be treated with confidentiality.
