By: Natasha Archary
Judge Stuart Wilson ruled that Ntuthuko Shoba is guilty of the premeditated murder of his pregnant girlfriend Tshegofatso Pule.
In his judgement at the Gauteng High Court, Judge Wilson read an hour-long verdict which concludes the almost 2-year murder trial.
According the Judge Wilson, the state’s case against Shoba rested heavily on testimony from Muzikayise Malephane, the man convicted Pule’s murder.
The court found that based on the evidence presented, all facts pointed to one outcome, that Ntuthuko Shoba arranged for Malephane to kill Tshegofatso Pule.
Muzikayise Malephane shared that Shoba had initially offered him R7 000 to kill his pregnant girlfriend. He then raised the offer to R20 000 and finally told Malephane that he would pay him R70 000 to kill Pule.
Shoba first arranged for Malephane to kill Pule at the McDonalds outlet where he staged a faux job interview for her.
When that plan failed, Shoba knowingly and intentionally delivered Pule into Malephane’s hands.
With regards to the third count, obstructing justice, Judge Wilson said the state had not been consistent with this charge.
“The evidence that initially led, appeared to be setting up a case that Mr Shoba had tampered with the cellphone that was handed over to the police. It was said that there were incriminating WhatsApp messages deleted from his phone. However, these incriminating messages were never produced. Nor was it proved how Mr Shoba tampered with the phone and deleted them. There is accordingly no basis on which I can convict Mr Shoba on the obstruction of justice charge.”
Acting Judge Stuart Wilson ruled
Shoba was however found guilty, for the premeditated murder of Tshegofatso Pule.
Pule was 31-weeks pregnant with Shoba’s unborn daughter at the time of her murder at the hands of Malephane.
She was first stabbed before being hung from a tree in Roodepoort on 4 June 2020.
Shoba will be sentenced on 10 May after Judge Wilson hears evidence and arguments regarding his verdict. The court will need to allow at least 6-weeks for this process to be finalised.
Ntuthuko Shoba will remain in custody until then.
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