By Staff Reporter
MALAMULELE – A 39-year-old taxi driver, Abby Nyathi, accused of brutally murdering his wife, Realize Mabedhle (33), has been denied bail by the Malamulele Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, October 21, 2025.
Nyathi appeared before the court seeking bail, but the magistrate ruled that he posed a danger to society and himself. The court also noted that he attempted to flee after committing the crime on August 8, 2025, before being arrested later that night following an accident more than 100 km from the scene.
The court heard that Nyathi, through his lawyer, had pleaded for bail, claiming he needed to take care of his two young sons and that he would reside at his father’s home in Gauteng for safety reasons. However, the state argued that his statements were inconsistent and that he could not care for his children while residing far from them.
The investigating officer opposed bail, describing Nyathi as a serious danger to society, citing the violent nature of the crime and his attempt to evade arrest.
According to police reports, the murder occurred at the couple’s home in Malamulele Section D shortly after Mabedhle, who was a school teacher, returned from an educational trip to Durban with her learners. She was allegedly stabbed multiple times in the upper body, and her legs were partially burned. She died at the scene.
The incident took place on Women’s Day, turning what was meant to be a day of celebration into a tragedy. Just hours before her death, Mabedhle had been celebrating the success of her school trip with her pupils.
Nyathi was arrested the same night and made his first court appearance on August 11, 2025, facing charges of murder, defeating the ends of justice, and arson.
After lengthy deliberations, the magistrate denied bail and postponed the matter to November 28, 2025, for the commencement of the trial.
Nyathi will remain in custody until then.
