A widow from North West, South Africa, is standing trial with three others for allegedly planning the murder of her husband. Court documents show she tried to have him killed months before the actual attack.

At the Pretoria High Court on August 13, accused Bafana Matotsoe admitted that in June 2022, Rebecca Mfolo, widow of the late Aubrey Mfolo, asked him to find a witchdoctor to harm her husband due to problems in their marriage.

Matotsoe, who used to work as the family’s taxi driver, said that by September 2022, Mfolo contacted him again to arrange an actual hit.

Matotsoe said he introduced her to co-accused Lucky Kudumane, who allegedly agreed to carry out the murder for payment. Kudumane then brought in other people, including Sifiso Manana and a man named Lucas, who is still missing.

According to Matotsoe, on January 10, 2023, Kudumane told him the team was ready. The victim’s daughter allegedly helped by leaving the gate and house unlocked.

That night, Matotsoe drove Kudumane, Sifiso, and Lucas to the victim’s home in Letlhabile. The men tied up Aubrey Mfolo, moved him to a nearby cemetery, and Lucas shot him three times, killing him.

Rebecca Mfolo admitted she hired the killers because her husband was abusive, controlling, and unfaithful, and had impregnated another woman.

She said she suffered years of emotional and physical abuse, including threats to set her on fire, forcing her to sleep separately from him with her children for safety.

Kudumane stated that a woman named Dineo and Matotsoe approached him with the murder plan. They said Mfolo had tried to hire hitmen before but could not agree on payment.

On the night of the murder, the group gained entry to the house with the help of the victim’s 17-year-old granddaughter, who guided them to his bedroom.

All four accused are charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Police are still searching for Lucas, who remains at large.