The soapie-like saga between a well-known wealthy Limpopo businessperson, Mr Goddard Mugwena, and his estranged wife, Dorries Mthembi, has taken a new twist.

In the latest drama, Mthembi appeared in court on Friday, facing a charge of conspiracy to murder Goddard, together with two alleged hit men. Mthembi, along with Vincent Phakula (25) and Moses Ntlenana (24), both from Phalaborwa, appeared in the Thohoyandou Magistrate’s Court and was charged with conspiracy to murder. The case was postponed to August 26, when she and her two co-accused will appear for formal bail applications.

Police spokesperson Capt Mashudu Mulelo said allegations against Mthembi are that she allegedly hired her two co-accused to kill her husband. “Mugwena was allegedly lured into the suspect’s house under the pretext that he was to iron out his differences with his estranged wife. The housekeeper is said to be the go-between between the two.”

It is also alleged that Mugwena had uncovered a plot that he was to be killed on the date and alerted the police.

It is stated that Mugwena went as far as the main door, but turned back to the street and asked police to accompany him, as he feared for his life. According to Mulelo, when the police entered the house, two men were found hiding behind the kitchen unit with pangas, a rope, knives and toy guns. The men were arrested on the spot and police confiscated the weapons.

It is also alleged that this was not the first time that an attempt has been made on the businessman’s life. It is alleged that in the first attempt, the hit men got cold feet and could not carry out their mission. The suspects are said to have made a confession to the magistrate where they alleged to have been hired by Dorries to kill Mugwena for a fee.

Mugwena was supposed to be abducted from the house, taken to Nandoni Dam where he would be coerced into signing a will leaving Dorries his estate, and have his money withdrawn from his bank accounts while being kept hostage. He would then be killed and his body put in the boot of his car, which would later be burnt.

The police stated that Mugwena was informed about the plot and he in turn tipped off the police, which led to the suspects’ being arrested.

Mugwena is embroiled in a number of court cases with his former wife and her boyfriend. In one of the cases, Dorries’ boyfriend, who stars as Ntshavheni Muvhango, stands accused of sending a threatening SMS to the businessman. He is out on bail of R5 000.

Captain Malelo said investigations were at an advanced stage. He could not rule out the possibility of further arrests. “We appeal to anybody who might have information on the case to assist us to complete our investigation,” he said.

* Dorries Mthembi, together with her two co-accused, Moses Ntsenana (24) and Ntwanano Vincent Phakula (25), briefly appeared in the Thohoyandou Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday for a formal bail application. The application was postponed to September 1. The prosecutor, Ms Mashudu Nekhumbe, said the application could not proceed before the investigating officer completed his investigations and he needed more time to complete his investigations. She also said they were awaiting a certificate from the DPP on the schedule of the case.

The accused’s defence, Wisani Baloyi of Wisani Baloyi Attorneys in Thohoyandou, argued that the postponement was just a delaying tactic to make his client stay in jail unnecessary. “We gave them ample time to complete and prepare their case, but still they want a postponement,” he said.

In another development, Dorries briefly appeared in another court, facing assault charges against her husband. The assault case was postponed to August 31. The defence asked for a postponement, citing a lack of certain particulars from the state.

Magistrate J du Plessis presided over the conspiracy case, while Mashudu Nekhumbe prosecuted.