A woman who had been on the run for over a year after allegedly murdering her husband was apprehended yesterday in Sandton, Gauteng. Halimmah Thamando-Mnyobisi, 38, was found in a residential complex, where she was residing with her boyfriend. The arrest follows a prolonged search after Thamando-Mnyobisi was linked to the tragic death of her husband, Fezile Mnyobisi, a teacher who was killed in September 2023. The police had initially issued a lookout for her vehicle, a black Mazda CX-5, but further investigation revealed she had switched to a white BMW, leading authorities to her location.
Fezile Mnyobisi was fatally stabbed last year, with the initial assumption being that he had fallen victim to a robbery. However, when his wife brought him to the hospital with multiple stab wounds, he was declared dead on arrival. The circumstances surrounding his death became increasingly suspicious, and a deeper investigation soon uncovered a chilling connection to his wife. Police linked Thamando-Mnyobisi to the murder, along with her brother, Abdool Thamando, and two other suspects, Vusumuzi Nqele, 43, and Moeketsi Innocent Manko, 35.
The investigation into the murder took a significant turn when Nqele and Manko were arrested in early November 2024 on charges of murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Their arrest provided key evidence that led police to Abdool Thamando, who was apprehended in Johannesburg, further unraveling the plot that allegedly culminated in the brutal killing of Fezile. The police are continuing to investigate the full extent of the involvement of each individual in the crime.
Thamando-Mnyobisi’s arrest marks the final piece in a complex case, which has now brought all four suspects into custody. She is expected to join the three men in court for a formal bail application on December 3, 2024. The murder has shocked the local community in Botshabelo, where Fezile was well-known as a teacher, and it has raised questions about the motivations behind such a violent crime within a family.
As the investigation moves forward, authorities are working to uncover the full story behind the murder and the roles each suspect played in the tragic events. The case highlights the growing concerns around domestic violence and conspiracy to commit murder, as well as the lengths to which some individuals will go in orchestrating violent acts. The upcoming court appearances will no doubt provide more clarity on the extent of the conspiracy and the motives behind Fezile Mnyobisi’s untimely death.
