Two women accused of the murder of Jabulile Ntimba appeared in the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday, following the discovery of her body in Villa Lisa, near Dawn Park, last week.
Tsakane Nester Msithini, 38, and Fortunate Masilela, 31, are facing charges of premeditated murder and defeating or obstructing the course of justice in connection with Ntimba’s death.
The State alleges that Ntimba’s murder was linked to a relationship involving Masilela’s husband.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority, Ntimba was allegedly in a relationship with Masilela’s husband, who was also her boyfriend. The man is also alleged to be Msithini’s brother.
The State alleges that the discovery of the relationship led to Ntimba’s subsequent murder.
Police have described the suspected motive as a possible love triangle, while stressing that the investigation is still continuing.
Deputy National Commissioner for Policing Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili said investigators had found sufficient grounds to proceed against the two women after initially taking three suspects in for questioning.
The third suspect, a man, was initially arrested alongside the two women but was not enrolled in court. Police and the State said there was insufficient evidence at this stage to place him before court. He was subsequently released, although investigations continue.
The court appearance was also subject to restrictions on the media.
The Boksburg Magistrate’s Court ruled that photographs and video footage showing the two accused could not be taken, with only audio coverage of the proceedings permitted. The restriction comes as an identity parade forms part of the ongoing investigation.
Both women were remanded in custody.
Their case was postponed to 1 October 2026 for a formal bail application. The State is expected to oppose bail, with the matter falling under the Schedule 6 framework.
Ntimba’s body was discovered in Villa Lisa, near Dawn Park, on 17 September. Her murder became the ninth case involving a woman whose body had been found in Ekurhuleni since July.
The case initially raised concerns about a possible connection to the wider series of deaths involving women across Ekurhuleni.
However, police have stressed that Ntimba’s murder is currently being investigated separately, while investigators continue examining whether any links exist between the various cases.
The arrests therefore represent a significant development in the Ntimba investigation, but the allegations against the two accused still have to be tested in court.
The investigation remains ongoing.
