A deceased businessman, his young second wife who was gunned down after becoming his sole heiress, her mother who faces a murder charge for allegedly orchestrating a hit on the man's son who contested his will, and four alleged killers who are now out on bail.
These were just some of the dramatic details that emerged during the murder investigation of a Gqeberha policeman, 41-year-old Sergeant Khayalethu Mbonomnyama.
The officer who was stationed at the Swartkops police station was killed in a suspected hit outside of a popular eatery in Motherwell in May.
An investigation by Hawks detective, Warrant Officer Shane Bosch, led to the arrest of brothers Mfezeko and Ayanda Khelephu, Masithembe Manundu, and Luvuyo Nkomozonke in September.
Last week police arrested Nomawethu Sandile, 54, who is believed to be the alleged mastermind behind Mbonomnyama's murder.
The policeman's father, Jameson Sebenzile Mbonomnyama, who was 64 years old at the time of his death in May last year, was married to Sandile's daughter who became his heir.
Mbonomnyama contested his father's will upon learning of the inheritance going to his stepmother who was in her twenties.
However, she was gunned down six months after her husband died and details surrounding her death, remain unclear.
During Thursday's court appearance, three of the four alleged hitmen were granted bail of R10 000 each, while the fourth suspect was granted bail of R5 000 earlier in November.
Sandile was added to the charge sheet, but her bail application was postponed.
In opposing bail of three of the alleged hitmen, W/O Bosch submitted a lengthy affidavit outlining the investigation and detailing their alleged involvement in the crime.
On the day that Mbonomnyama was shot, the suspects left the scene in a hired Suzuki vehicle.
An analysis of three of the accused' cell phone records, bank statements, and the vehicle's tracking device, placed them and the car at the crime scene, moments before the policeman was killed.
On the day of the murder, an amount of R26 000 each was deposited into the alleged hitmen's bank accounts, by a woman who is understood to be an outstanding suspect.
Bosch told the court that one of the accused was found in possession of a firearm that could be linked to the killing.
The court also heard that the men had fled to Cape Town and how the discovery of one of two firearms, which were hidden in the panels of the rented car, revealed a possible link to a separate murder in Gugulethu.
Bosch told the court that witnesses in the matter were fearing for their lives.
In granting bail, Magistrate Joe Grootboom said there was no direct evidence linking the accused to the crime.
He said the state missed an opportunity to cross-examine the accused who was allegedly found in possession of the firearm linked to the murder.
With regards to the guns found hidden in the Suzuki, Grootboom said that nine days had lapsed before the vehicle was searched and that nobody gave an account of what happened to the vehicle or who hired it during that period.
He agreed with the defence that attempting to charge the men with the possession of the firearms discovered in the Suzuki, could never hold up in court.
As part of their bail conditions, the accused were ordered to stay at their homes until the conclusion of the trial and not to interfere with state witnesses.
Sandile's bail application will be heard on 14 December while her co-accused will be back in court on 27 February.
