South African Police has arrested a 26-year-old woman over her alleged involvement in the murder of her husband, which took place in October last year at a farm outside Groblersdal.
As extensive investigations by the South African Police Service went on, a 23-year-old female suspect, Patricia Lee Smith who was reportedly a lesbian girlfriend of the 26-year-old widow, was arrested on 27 October, 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, 13 August 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 09 May 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, 13 August 2021, facing charges of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, attempted murder and defeating the ends of justice.”
