DURBAN – The Johannesburg High Court in Gautengon Friday found Ntuthuko Shoba guilty of murdering his girlfriend Tshegofatso Pule, who was eight months pregnant at the time of her death.
Judge Stuart Wilson found Shoba was guilty of premeditated murder and but acquitted him on charges pertaining to the obstruction of justice charge.
“On count one of the indictment, I find you guilty of premeditated murder of Tshegofatso Pule.
“On count two of the indictment, I find you not guilty of obstruction of justice.
“Mr Shoba, given the verdict I’ve reached on the primary count on the indictment, it's now necessary for me to hear evidence and arguments related to the appropriate sentence,” Judge Wilson said during the live broadcast.
Pule was found shot and hanging from a tree in Durban Deep, Roodepoort, in 2020. According to police reports at the time, the 28 year-old also had stab wounds to her chest.
She was last seen at Shoba’s residence.
Muzikayise Malephane, who is serving 20 years for the murder of Pule, turned State witness and pointed fingers at Shoba as the mastermind behind the hit on his pregnant girlfriend.
Malephane ,31, confessed that he killed Pule as part of his deal.
He told the State that Shoba had offered him up to R70 000 to kill Pule.
He claimed Shoba had first offered him R7 000 to kill Pule as he did not want his wife to know he had impregnated her.
Sentencing proceedings are set to begin on May 10.
IOL