Eastern Cape commissioner, General Thandiswa Kupiso has praised detectives for arresting nine suspects in the murder case of Siwaphiwe Bushula from Libode.
Bushula was gunned down on 28 December 2024 in his home area by unknown assailants. Months later, a breakthrough came when police arrested nine suspects between 10 and 13 June 2025 in Thabong, Welkom, in connection with the killing.
Among those arrested is 59-year-old Jackson Bushula, the deceased’s uncle, who is believed to have orchestrated the murder. Preliminary investigations suggest that Jackson Bushula insured his nephew for large sums of money, with the intention of profiting from his violent death. He allegedly recruited several associates, all based in Welkom, to carry out the plan.
The suspects appeared before the Libode Magistrate’s Court on 26 June 2025 and were granted bail. Their case was postponed to 3 October 2025. However, a key figure in the case, 42-year-old Thandikhaya Mazule, alleged to be the hitman, remains in custody. His bail application is set for 22 July 2025.
The full list of accused includes: Jackson Bushula (59), Malibongwe Nokweza (40), Thandikhaya Mazule (42, in custody), Nomvula Manise (48), Nomveliso Nqetho (51), Vuyisile Wiso (45), Lisa Wiso (51), Alex Manise (23) and Asherley Sigwela (34).
Police continue to investigate the case to expose the full scope of the conspiracy. Major General Kupiso emphasised the SAPS’s commitment to tackling crimes driven by greed, particularly those involving the abuse of insurance systems for personal gain.
