‘Drugs, Alcohol, and Stress Made Me Kill Chef Letlape’

Sibusiso Zitha, the man accused of killing well-known pastry chef Thembekile Letlape, appeared in Randburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

This follows Zitha’s earlier request to the court for bail so he could close his business and ensure his two children were taken care of while he served his sentence.

Another state witness, whose identity cannot be published due to a court application, was included in the state’s case on Monday.

Zitha claims he is self-employed and is the sole director and CEO of eKhaya Property Finance.

“I am guilty of the crime. There is no evidence that I will not stand my trial; I know the sentence the court can give me,” Zitha stated in his affidavit.

“However, I am a father and a businessman, and I know that my imprisonment will affect my business and my children.

“I did not wait for the police to find me for the crime I committed; I went to them and admitted my guilt.

“I confirm that when I committed the crime, I was drunk, just like the deceased, and I was under severe stress, using cocaine, alcohol, and had not slept for over 36 hours.

“This is not an excuse for my actions.”

Zitha has been in custody since June after Letlape was found dead at Zitha’s home in Fourways, Johannesburg, on May 30.

The case has been postponed to October 31 for a decision on the bail application.

In his bail affidavit, Zitha acknowledged the consequences of his confession and expressed his intention to plead guilty to the charges against him.

He also stated that he is not a danger to anyone’s safety or to the public.

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