MPUMALANGA’S former environmental affairs MEC, Luckson Mathebula, suspected of conspiring to murder his estranged wife, was again remanded in custody during a court appearance in Phalaborwa on Thursday. Mathebula’s girlfriend, Pretty Thembi Gama, was on Thursday afternoon placed in a police witness protection program after she agreed to become a State witness. All charges against Gama have been withdrawn. Mathebula’s case was postponed to June 30, when a further bail application is expected. Police arrested Mathebula, Gama and a traditional healer, Jimmy Chauke, last week on charges of conspiracy to murder after Rose Aletta Mnisi was shot dead on June 9. Chauke has been denied bail and remanded in custody until July 5.