On Monday, 10 March 2025, Police Sergeant Nyiko Nyathi (42), who is stationed at Bushbuckridge SAPS, surrendered herself at the same police station. Subsequently, she appeared before the Bushbuckridge Magistrate’s Court on the same day, facing allegations related to the murders of her husband and another woman.
According to available information, in February 2024, Lawrence Alba Mashego (44) was reportedly attacked by a group of armed men at his Boikutsong Trust residence in Bushbuckridge. The armed men robbed him of his Toyota Quatum and Ford Escort, then he got kidnapped. The two vehicles were reportedly used by the armed suspects as a mode of transport to reach a certain house in Zoeknoeg. At the house, they found Victoria Lebyane (44), Mashego’s female friend, in possession of Mashego’s bank cards.
Mashego was then robbed of about R4 000 cash as well as some bank cards belonging to her. Subsequently, she was fatally shot by the suspects.
The incident was subjected to a comprehensive investigation by the South African Police Service (SAPS), resulting in the arrest of four suspects. One of the suspects pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 77 years’ imprisonment.
It is through further investigation that the Police Sergeant was fingered in the murder of Mashego and Lebyane.
The case was postponed to Wednesday, 12 March 2025, for a formal bail application.
