Eskom official charged with murder of girlfriend

The incident relating to the case took place along the Giyani to Malamulele road on Saturday, February 16 at about 14:30.

According to the spokesperson of the police in Giyani, Insp Hasani Mabaso, the accused was in the company of his girlfriend when the incident took place. According to the statement an argument ensued between the two while on their way to Malamulele.

During the argument Mashau allegedly produced a fire-arm and threatened to shoot the deceased. She then jumped onto Mashau in a bid to grab the fire-arm. That, according to the police statement resulted in the man losing control of the vehicle.

The vehicle overturned along the road. According to the statement he then shot the deceased in the head. She died instantly.

Mashau allegedly then turned the gun onto himself and he sustained a serious bullet wound in the chest.

The police arrived at the scene a little later and found Mashau and the deceased lying in a pool of blood inside the vehicle. He was taken to hospital under police guard. He appeared in the Giyani magistrate court. He was not asked to plead and the case was postponed until yesterday, Thursday February 28.

Mashau was not granted any bail during his first court appearance. It was not clear at the time of going to the press as to what exactly has transpired in court yesterday. The deceased was identified as Ms Sina Mathebula (28) of Giyani Section D1.

The police statement indicates that Mashau has told the police that the centre of their argument was that the deceased had told him that she did not love him anymore. He also told the police that he found that unacceptable, saying the preparations for their wedding were at an advanced stage, and that the woman has wasted much of his time.