Maqubela widow caught in own web

The judge in the murder trial of Thandi Maqubela yesterday called her a liar who manufactured evidence.

Maqubela and co-accused, Vela Mabhena, are accused of murdering Maqubela's husband, acting judge Patrick Maqubela, in June 2009. During the court lunch break, the widow distributed documents implying that people linked to President Jacob Zuma could be behind her husband's murder. Such claims have previously been rejected by the court.

The documents Maqubela distributed contained copies of SMS messages the late judge purportedly sent to former social development minister Zola Skweyiya about developments in the ANC.

During the second day of the judgment being read in the Cape Town High Court, Maqubela hung her head as Judge John Murphy attacked her character.

Maqubela has also been charged with forging her late husband's signature on a will that named her as the main beneficiary.

Continuing to read his 220-page judgment, Judge Murphy said Maqubela carried her husband's cellphone while travelling between Cape Town, Johannesburg and her rural home in Qumbu, Eastern Cape.

Prior to the acting judge's body being discovered in his upmarket flat in Sea Point, Cape Town, on June 7 2009, Maqubela used the cellphone to send bogus messages to her husband's associates, friends and Justice Minister Jeff Radebe.

Judge Murphy said: "She was in the apartment with the body of the deceased and she took steps to create an impression that he was still alive.

"She naively believed that the bogus SMSes she sent would cover her.

"With that endeavour, she underestimated modern communication technology."

Judgment continues today.