The policewoman accused of masterminding her husband’s murder is expected in court on Wednesday after being remanded in custody again.

Mpumalanga News reports Sergeant Nyiko Jacobeth Nyathi (42) briefly appeared in the Mapulaneng Magistrate’s Court last Friday, where the court remanded her in custody pending her next court appearance on Wednesday, when a formal bail application will be submitted.

Nyathi previously applied for the presiding magistrate, Tanya du Preez, to recuse herself, as she is the wife of the accused’s former commander. “The magistrate is the wife of the accused’s former commander, and it is for this reason that we applied for her recusal, but she has since refused to do so,” said Nyathi’s lawyer, Advocate Vusi Segodi.

Segodi warned that the magistrate might discuss the case with her husband, leading to potential biases. “There is just no way the accused can have a fair trial under the circumstances,” he argued.

Nyathi, a detective, disappeared from the Bushbuckridge Police Station on March 7, after SABC’s Morning Live prematurely announced her imminent arrest. On March 10, she returned and handed herself over.

Nyathi is accused of hiring hitmen to kill her estranged husband, Alber Mashego (44), and his pregnant girlfriend, Victoria Lebjane (44).

On the night of February 5 last year, a group of armed men attacked Mashego at his home in Boikhotso near Bushbuckridge. They demanded his bank card, but he told them it was with Lebjane, who lived in Zoeknog a few kilometres away. The attackers then demanded money and cellphones before forcing Mashego to phone Lebjane to arrange the bank card pickup. They took his two cars and drove with him to her house.

“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,” said NPA spokesperson Monica Nyuswa.

The attackers ransacked the house, stealing R4 000 in cash and Mashego’s bank card.

Investigations led to the arrest of four suspects, including Witness Monareng (28), who pleaded guilty after his fingerprints were found at the scene. He was sentenced to 77 years for premeditated murder, armed robbery, theft, and kidnapping.

The other accused, Themba Mokoena, Thabang Malumane, and Thabiso Malope, are still on trial at the time of publishing.

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