Extramarital affair murder suspect claims mental illness as victim's family alleges deception

The man accused of killing his neighbour over an alleged extramarital affair with his wife has been accused by the victim’s family of using delaying tactics after requesting a psychological evaluation.

Sibongiseni Mbhele of Koffie Farm in KwaNdengezi, along with co-accused Bongumusa Mkhonto and Siboniso Phungula, appeared before the Pinetown Magistrates Court this week in connection with the murder of 34-year-old Kholwani Cele.

Cele was killed on October 23, 2025, and his body tied to a rock on his back, was allegedly dumped in the uMngeni River.Cele went missing after leaving work in Northdene, Queensburgh, prompting his family to appeal to the public for assistance in locating him.

Mbhele later handed himself over to the Mariannhill Police Station, where he reportedly confessed to killing Cele with the help of his two co-accused.

During court proceedings, Mbhele, through his legal representative, requested that he undergo a psychological evaluation, citing a history of mental health challenges.

However, the deceased’s brother, Sibonelo Cele, dismissed the request as a calculated attempt to delay the trial.

“He is pretending. We believe this is part of his plan after what he did. He wants the case delayed and to distract public attention,” said Cele.

He disputed claims that Mbhele has a history of mental illness, describing him instead as intelligent and methodical.

“H He took his time planning this murder, starting to befriend Kholwani about two months before killing him. He was a teetotaller but began drinking alcohol to gain proximity to my brother, who drank,” Cele said.

According to Cele, Mbhele began frequenting their home, often bringing alcohol to drink with the deceased.

“This clearly shows premeditation,” he said.

Cele further believes that on the day of the murder, Mbhele did not abduct his brother but instead lured him through a phone call, as the two had become acquainted.

Mbhele is represented by a private attorney, while his co-accused are being represented by Legal Aid South Africa. All three have abandoned their bail application.

“We believe they realised the community does not want them back. As a family, we were worried about how we would live if they were released on bail. We opposed bail,” Cele said.

He added that the family feared they would be unable to control the community’s anger should the accused have been released.

“Their release would have placed us in danger as a family,” he said.Cele also rejected Mbhele’s stated motive to police, insisting the alleged affair was unlikely.

“We suspect there is another reason he is hiding. His wife and my brother were not the kind of people who would sneak around for a secret affair,” he said.

Magistrate Wendolyn Robinson adjourned the matter to March 4, 2026, to allow for Mbhele’s psychological evaluation.

As in previous appearances, the courtroom was filled to capacity, with community members spilling outside the court precinct, where they protested upon learning that Mbhele would be sent for psychological assessment.