Both the state and the defense have confirmed their readiness to proceed with the murder trial of African National Congress (ANC) Member of Parliament Sibusiso Kula who is accused of allegedly killing his wife, Jennifer Mohlomi.
Kula appeared for the first pre-trial hearing at the North West High Court sitting at the Klerksdorp Regional Court on Monday.
The trial is set to be heard from 13-17 May 2024 at the same court. Kula is out on a R50 000 bail which was granted by the High Court following his appeal after the Orkney Magistrates court denied him bail.
The MP previously told the court that he is innocent, after the lifeless body of his wife was found with a stab wound on her back at their home in November 2022 in what seemed like a robbery, but the object that was used in the alleged murder has not been recovered.
According to the accused, he was not present at his home when the incident occurred. He told the police that he rushed his wife Mohlomi to a medical facility where she was confirmed dead.
He was arrested in January 2023 following police investigations. “Following thorough investigations by the police, he was linked to the alleged murder and was arrested on 20 January 2023.
“He was charged with murder, defeating the ends of justice, contravention of the Domestic Violence Act, making false statements and affidavits, and conspiracy with another person to aid or procure the commission of murder,” said Provincial National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Henry Mamothame.
His R50 000 bail was extended and was warned to be back in court on the day of trial.