Thandi Maqubela cleared of husband's murder but still faces fraud charge

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Thandi Maqubela cleared of husband's murder but still faces fraud charge

30 September 2017 10:03 AM

The Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) has overturned Thandi Maqubela's murder conviction on Friday, finding her not guilty.

Maqubela was sentenced to an effective 18 years behind bars by the Western Cape High Court in March 2015 for murdering her husband, forging his will and then fraudulently trying to pass it off as an authentic document. Her late spouse, acting Judge Patrick Maqubela, was found dead at a Bantry Bay apartment in 2009.

EWN reporter Rahima Essop tells Afternoon Drive host Bongani Bingwa that while many may be shocked at the news her lawyers have always maintained her innocence.

During the trial at the Western Cape High Court the courts accepted the narrative that Maqubela killed her husband because of his cheating.
— Rahima Essop, EWN reporter

Essop reports that there was never conclusive medical evidence confirming the cause of death. She further adds that the prosecutors believed that the late acting Judge was suffocated.

Maqubela always maintained that she did not kill her husband and that he had died from natural causes explains Essop.

The court relied heavily on the circumstantial evidence and her shifty behaviour throughout the trial. There was evidence that showed she was in possession of her late husband's cellphone which she used to send messages from. The court also found she was disingenuous.
— Rahima Essop, EWN reporter

Essop says Maqubela's lawyer is pleased with the outcome of the appeal and is happy for his client's daughters who have been put through a great deal of distress from the trial.

Essop adds Maqubela remains behind bars because she was also charged with fraud after being found to have forged her husband's will and given a three-year jail sentence for that crime.

Listen to the EWN report here:

Written by: Mmakgomo Tshetlo