A 26-year-old woman has been arrested over her alleged involvement in the murder of her husband, which took place in October 2020 at a farm outside Groblersdal.
South African Police Service have arrested a 23-year-old female suspect, Patricia Lee Smith who was reportedly a lesbian girlfriend of the widow, was arrested on October 27, 2021. She was later released on bail.
The duo were accused of attempting to kill the man on May 9, 2020 by food poisoning. The victim was admitted at the hospital and later discharged. Months later, the man was allegedly shot and killed by the suspects who staged it to look like a farm attack.
Limpopo police commissioner, Lieutenant-General Thembi Hadebe welcomed the arrests and the extensive work by police to crack the complex case. The two suspects are expected to appear in the Groblersdal Magistrate’s Court on Friday, August 13, 2021, facing charges of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, attempted murder and defeating the ends of justice.
Limpopo police spokesperson, Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo said; “What was initially thought to be a farm attack was unearthed by rigorous police investigations as an alleged blatant and orchestrated murder of a 36-year-old man.
“Police investigations brought to light the allegation that the suspect and her female companion conspired to murder her husband in an incident in which the victim was shot and killed in the manner that the suspects reportedly made it look like a farm attack.
“It is also alleged that the deceased’s wife (had earlier) attempted to kill him on May 9, 2020 by food poisoning. The victim was admitted at the hospital and later discharged.
“The two suspects are expected to appear in the Groblersdal Magistrate’s Court on Friday, August 13, 2021, facing charges of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, attempted murder and defeating the ends of justice.”
