Sibongile Dlamini, the wife of murdered South African police officer Constable Banele Sikhosana, was arrested for allegedly hiring hitmen to kill him. Her arrest came just hours after she was seen weeping at his burial.
Constable Sikhosana, an officer with the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD), was fatally shot on February 7, 2025, while opening his tuck shop in Rest, Kwa-Thema, Ekurhuleni. The gunmen also took his service pistol.
Authorities later arrested Nhlizitozabantu Magwanyana at the Kwa-Thema Hostel. During interrogation, Magwanyana confessed to carrying out the killing and claimed he was hired by Sikhosanaโs wife, with the final payment allegedly made shortly after the murder.
Acting EMPD chief of police Julius Mkhwanazi confirmed that one more suspect remains at large, though an arrest is expected soon.
Investigators also revealed that this was not the first attempt on Sikhosanaโs life. Reports indicate that Dlamini had allegedly tried to poison him just a week before the fatal shooting. Sikhosana was on sick leave recovering from the suspected poisoning when he was gunned down.
A memorial service for the fallen officer was held at his home on Thursday, February 13. However, on Friday afternoon, February 14, while preparing for his funeral, Dlamini was taken into custody by police. Sikhosanaโs funeral proceeded as planned on Saturday, February 15.
