Sibusiso and Lerato Mahlangu, a Soshanguve couple convicted of the premeditated murder of Lerato’s ex-partner, Sibusiso Sithebe, were sentenced to life imprisonment on Friday.
Gauteng court sentences Lerato and Sibusiso Mahlangu
The Pretoria High Court found that greed was the primary motive behind the brutal killing, with the pair attempting to cash in on an insurance payout.
Judge Papi Mosopa stated that the evidence presented clearly showed the murder was planned. He criticised the couple for lying in court, providing only “half-truths” while refusing to take responsibility for their actions. He explained that their lack of remorse and the calculated nature of the crime warranted the maximum sentence.
The courtroom was divided as the judgment was handed down. While many in the gallery welcomed the life terms, Sibusiso’s mother sobbed in the background. Meanwhile, Sithebe’s family expressed relief, saying they finally felt vindicated after a long legal battle.
Speaking outside court, Sithebe’s brother, Xolani, said he believed his brother “fought for himself” from beyond the grave. His former partner, Lerato Mphefu, also voiced her gratitude for the ruling, stating:
“I thank God for today… I am happy that where he is sleeping, he will get justice.”
How Lerato and Sibusiso Mahlangu killed Sibusiso Sithebe
The Mahlangu couple orchestrated a gruesome murder in 2022, luring Sithebe to their home in Soshanguve before killing him and setting his body on fire. Their plan was to pass his remains off as Sibusiso Mahlangu’s in a fraudulent insurance claim.
Lerato later falsely identified the burnt body as her husband’s and successfully claimed a R575,000 insurance payout.
The money was spent quickly—R150,000 was used to buy a car, while a portion was set aside for Lerato and Sithebe’s 12-year-old daughter.
The scheme unravelled in April 2023 when police at a roadblock discovered that Mahlangu had been registered as deceased. This led to an in-depth investigation, culminating in their arrest and conviction.
During the trial, Sibusiso Mahlangu attempted to take full responsibility for the murder, claiming he had forced Lerato to participate by threatening her life.
However, Sithebe’s family rejected this version of events, maintaining that Lerato was actively involved in the planning.
Parole officers have recommended that the Mahlangu couple remain behind bars for life, arguing that their calculated deception and lack of remorse make them unfit for rehabilitation.
