The Bushbuckridge policewoman who evaded her arrest for double murder on Friday, March 7, was arrested today, March 10.

Sergeant Nyiko Jacobeth Nyathi (42) allegedly hired hitmen to kill her husband, Alber Mashego, and his pregnant girlfriend, Victoria Mmathapelo Lebjane.

Nyathi, who is attached to Bushbuckridge Police Station, briefly appeared in the Mapulaneng Magistrate’s Court shortly after her arrest today. She was not asked to plead and was remanded in custody pending her next court appearance on Wednesday, March 12, for a formal bail application.

The police had planned to arrest Nyathi in Bushbuckridge on Friday, but had abort their operation after SABC’s Morning Live prematurely aired the information and she disappeared.

Mashego was attacked in his home by a group of armed men on February 5 last year. They demanded his bank card, but he told them it was with Lebjane who lived in Zoeknog Village a few kilometres away. They then demanded money and cellphones, before forcing Mashego to phone Lebjane to make arrangements to collect the bank card.

“Upon arrival at Lebjane’s residence, the perpetrators ordered Mashego to knock on the door. He quickly entered the house and closed the door again, but his attackers shot through it, killing the couple. They then retrieved the bank card from her pocket and fled the scene,” said the NPA’s regional spokesperson, Monica Nyuswa.

The matter was reported to the police and investigations led to the arrest of Witness Monareng (28) a few months later. He pleaded guilty when fingerprint evidence placing him at the scene was brought up in court. He was sentenced to 77 years behind bars. He has since turned state witness.

The police later arrested Themba Mokoena, Thabang Malumane and Thabiso Malope, whose trial is ongoing.