When the wife of a police officer was arrested in connection with the murder of her policeman husband, it shocked even the most hardened police officers. Her arrest, along with a man who actually carried out the killing, has left many people (including family and friends) baffled.

The murder took place on Friday, May 23.

According to Hlengiwe Precious Xaba, she and her husband, 50-year-old Warrant Officer Bongani Sibusiso Xaba, were attacked on the  Collings Pass Road near Elandslaagte. Warrant Officer Xaba was severely beaten and two cell-phones were stolen.

He was rushed to hospital, where he died on June 22, almost a month later. A case of murder was opened by Elandslaagte police.

Elandslaagte detectives found Mrs Xaba’s story to be implausible and soon linked her to 29-year-old Mduduzi Delani Zuma (believed to be her boyfriend) who they believe murdered her husband.

On Monday this week, 29-year-old Zuma was arrested in Roosboom and Mrs Xaba was arrested soon afterwards in Steadville by Elandslaagte Detective Services, assisted by the Ladysmith K9 Unit and the Ladysmith Cluster Trio Crime Task Team.

During the arrests, the cell-phones Mrs Xaba claimed had been stolen were recovered.

Both have appeared in court and face charges of murder.

The case has been remanded till July 23 for a bail application.