22-05-2025
Osizweni ‘loan shark' faces multiple charges in Madadeni High Court
Mlambo faces a string of serious charges, including five counts of murder, one of attempted murder, two counts of conspiracy to commit murder, and one charge of failing to properly secure a firearm.
The courtroom was packed, with visible police presence both inside and outside the court precinct, as the case drew significant public and media attention.
His co-accused, Sihle Ngema and Ayanda Ngwenya. Sihle faces charges of murder, attempted murder, and conspiracy to commit murder. Ayanda is charged with conspiracy to commit murder and attempted murder in connection with counts four and five.
At the heart of the prosecution's case is the murder of Mlambo's ex-wife, Sithembile Mlambo, who was shot and killed on the evening of May 29, 2023. The state alleges that Mlambo orchestrated the murder with the help of unidentified accomplices. He also stands accused of conspiring to kill Madaeni court magistrate Ephraim Khanyile.
One of the more startling charges (count three) involves a firearm found in Mlambo's vehicle during a July 2023 search outside the Madadeni High Court.
Counts four and five relate to an alleged plot and attempted murder of prison warder Daphney Hendricks in October 2023, while Mlambo was in custody. He was arrested dramatically on October 11, 2023, on the N11 highway en route to Ladysmith, following a wide-reaching manhunt spurred by a social media alert.
State Prosecutor Advocate Mlotshwa stated that the prosecution will present forensic evidence from crime scenes, cellphone data linking the accused, and key testimony from civilian witnesses. Among them, one is expected to directly implicate Mlambo in his ex-wife's murder.
During the testimony, Ncediwe Mlambo, daughter of the accused and the late Sithembile Mlambo and accused Sithembiso Mlambo revealed a deeply fractured family dynamic, with tensions between her parents reportedly beginning in 2019.
The second witness, Stanley Sikhakhane, a former inmate who shared a cell with Mlambo at Waterval prison Mlambo once asked him how much it would cost to 'have someone killed—a woman in particular.'
Day two featured the testimony of Colonel Nkosi, who was called to the scene on May 29, as well as the testimony and cross-examination of Siyabonga Madlala, Mlambo's cellmate during his detention at Waterval Correctional Centre.
Proceedings continue at the Madadeni High Court.
The full version of the story is in this week's Newcastle Advertiser.
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