Likely plea bargain for cop murder trial
2013-03-15 18:42
Cape Town - A couple accused of killing a policeman and
burying his body in their backyard appeared in the Western Cape High Court on
Friday.
The court heard that Barnabas Sentiwe could plead guilty
in terms of section 105A of the Criminal Procedure Act, which deals with plea
and sentencing agreements.
Lawyers for his wife Phumza Veli said they were not
considering that option at this stage.
Judge Robert Henney postponed the matter until 12 April.
He said he wanted to see the 105A notice on his desk
before proceeding.
They both remain in custody.
The couple were neighbours of 29-year-old Constable
Monwabisi Mnyombolo in Extension Six, Mfuleni, Cape Town.
It is the State's case that Sentiwe got into an argument
with Mnyombolo at the couple's house in October 2009, accusing him of having an
affair with his wife.
Sentiwe allegedly stabbed the police officer.
In 2010, he sold his house to Moses Njovana.
Njovana's wife saw a pair of tracksuit pants in the
ground next to the house in 2011, dug them up and found bones inside.
Police were called to the scene and a shallow grave was
unearthed.
Forensic testing revealed the bones in it belonged to the
constable and a post mortem revealed he had been stabbed in the head.
The State has charged Sentiwe with murder and his wife
with being an accessory after the fact.
- SAPA
