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Plettenberg guardian gets two life terms for foster daughter's murder over insurance money
Mboneleli Msila, along with three accomplices, was found guilty of planning and executing his foster daughter's murder to claim insurance payouts.
On the day of the crime in Kwanokuthula, two armed men stormed Mafani's home, shooting her 15 times before fleeing on foot.
The four accused received heavy sentences, including Msila's two life terms.
A Plettenberg Bay guardian, Mboneleli Msila, was sentenced to two life terms on Thursday for orchestrating the murder of his foster daughter, Nomdundu Mafani, in a chilling bid to cash out insurance policies.
The 23-year-old victim, who had lived with Msila for 12 years, was shot 15 times in an attack carried out by hitmen hired by her guardian.
Msila appeared in the Western Cape High Court, sitting in Knysna, with his three co-accused: Mbulelo Jack, 25, Monde Tshemese, 35, and Lungisile Lucas, 41.
The three were contracted to kill Mafani, a crime they carried out in April 2022.
According to the police, Mafani, who lived with a mental illness, was at home in Kwanokuthula on Cuba Street when two men, one armed with a firearm, entered the house.
'One of the suspects fired several shots at the victim who succumbed to 15 gunshot wounds. They then fled from the scene on foot,' said Sergeant Christopher Spies.
He said investigations led to the arrest of the four men, following which Msila, who had been her guardian for 12 years, was identified as the mastermind behind the killing.
Spies said investigations revealed that Msila had taken out several insurance policies on her life at various financial institutions to the value of R600 000.
'The guardian hired his three accomplices to implement his plan, with the ultimate plot to kill the victim so that he could have access to the insurance money,' he said.
In court, Msila was handed two life terms for murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
Jack was sentenced to 17 years for conspiracy to commit murder and another 17 years for murder.
These were ordered to run concurrently. Tshemese received two life terms for murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
He was also sentenced to five years for the unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Lucas was sentenced to 17 years for conspiracy to commit murder and another 17 years for murder.
These charges will run concurrently. Garden Route District commissioner Major General Phumzile Cetyana, who attended the sentencing proceedings, conveyed appreciation to the investigating officer, Sergeant Mphumezi Mlenze, and senior State advocate John Reyneveld for their diligence.
He also thanked members of the Western Cape Provincial Serious Crime Investigations Unit, who collaborated with Kwanokuthula detectives to ensure a guilty verdict.
Provincial commissioner Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile also praised the investigation and prosecution teams.
He said:
This sentence should send a very strong message to the public that those entrusted to care for our children should not exploit the opportunity for financial gain.
'Gender-based violence and femicide remain one of the top police priorities, and any act of gender-based violence and femicide will be met with a similar response from police.'
'No efforts or resources will be spared as we will make sure that those threatening the safety of our women are brought to book and removed from society,' Patekile said.
