BUSINESSMAN WHAT LED TO BABY MAMA’S DEATH

MBABANE – The businessman who allegedly killed the mother of his children now claims that she used to leave the children unattended and slept out.

Makhosonkhe Sibandze previously made a confession where he alleged that he killed Cebisile Bhembe, the mother of his three children, after discovering that she had been involved with a man, who promised her a job on the night before her death.  In his bail application, Sibandze, who is in the conctruction industry, is alleged to have strangulated Cebisile Bhembe at Sikhunyana Township in the Manzini Region. The incident happened on October 13, 2024. Sibandze is the Drector of J.N. Investments (Pty) Ltd, which is a construction company with seven employees. It is incorporated in terms of the company laws of Eswatini.

According to Sibandze, on the day of the incident, he met Bhembe around Ticantfwini on a courtesy visit. “I state that during my conversations with the deceased, an altercation ensued, arising out of a disagreement pertaining to our two minor children. In fact, I confronted the deceased after it came to my attention that the deceased would occasionally leave the minor children unattended and sleep out. “I state that the confrontation became heated, I then decided to leave but the deceased chased after me and tried to pull me back by my jacket, in that very moment she slipped and fell over a tree stump resulting in her losing her life. I then hurriedly tried to resuscitate her by pressing my hands on her chest in up and down movements. I tried all means possible to save her but to no avail,” Sibandze narrated.The businessman was arrested by Manzini police on the same day that Bhembe died. He was charged with murder. His charge sheet states that he intentionally killed Bhembe. The accused made his first court appearance at the Manzini Magistrates Court and was remanded in custody. He was detained at Zakhele Remand Centre in Manzini.

Defence

Sibandze filed an application for bail at the High Court and stated that he will plead not guilty during his trials since he is allegedly innocent of the charge. He submitted that he has a bona fide defence in the matter. “I state that I did not commit the offence for which I am charged,” Sibandze submitted. He went on to tell the court that he is desirous of being released on bail. He said his personal circumstances were that he is the owner and sole Director of J.N. Investments (Pty) Ltd. He said in early June 2024, his company secured a tender from one Robbie Butler in Manzini, near Mavuso Sports Centre, to renovate a double-storey building. This necessitated his relocation from Nhlangano to the Manzini Region. “Renovations were ongoing at the time of my arrest. I, therefore, state that my arrest has put my employees’ livelihood in a precarious position. The client may terminate the contract any time.

“On the other hand, my employees need my leadership, which is solely missing now. Presently, month end is looming no one will remunerate my employees if I remain in custody. As a sole proprietor, I am the only one responsible for the administration duties of the company as well as being the site supervisor,” the accused submitted. The father of two said one of his children has stopped going to school as her grandmother cannot afford to give her packed lunch, which was his sole responsibility before his incarceration. He stated that one of the children is due to attend a graduation ceremony next month. Sibandze argued that if his incarceration continues, it will have dire consequences on the child’s education. He said this is because the child will be forced not to attend her graduation ceremony. Judge Sabelo Masuku heard Sibandze’s application for bail yesterday. The court granted the application and ordered the businessman to pay E5 000 towards bail and provide surety for the balance.

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