Cape Town - In a bizarre turn of events and shortly before he was due to be sentenced, a man accused alongside his wife of killing a man and pretending it was himself who had died so that he could cash in on insurance money, on Tuesday decided to confess all following a “talk with God” in his cell on Monday.
Sibusiso Mahlangu, 34, and Lerato Mahlangu, 33, from Soshanguve had been convicted of murder and fraud charges in November last year, following a lengthy trial in which they denied everything.
The Gauteng High Court, Pretoria earlier found that the couple had murdered Sibusiso Sithebe, who had previously been in a romantic relationship with Lerato.
The body found in bed in the couple’s home was so badly burnt that everyone accepted that it was Sibusiso Mahlangu who had died.
This was especially so as the accused had put his own wedding band on the finger of the deceased.
He told Judge Papi Mosopa: “This is probably my last chance to speak. Yesterday (Monday) I went back to my cell and prayed to God for wisdom to do things right.”
Sibusiso Mahlangu then said he has done many wrong things over the past few years, but now, just for once, he wants to take responsibility for his life.
“It is me who has committed the crime. It is me and I am truly sorry.”
“I don’t know how I got to that point. I cannot go on to pretend what I have done does not matter.”
Sibusiso Mahlangu further said that he does not know what will happen to his wife as she too is facing sentencing.
“But the truth is it is not her fault. She is also a victim.”
He added: “I would love to get a chance in life to be kind again. But whatever the court decides, I will take it as I need to take responsibility.”
Lerato will testify on Wednesday.