Lerato Mbhiza
A 49-year-old woman, who allegedly orchestrated the deaths of her relatives, including her husband and three children, to cash out on insurance policies, will make her first appearance in the Mmabatho Magistrate’s Court on Friday.
The woman was arrested following an intelligence operation after family members raised suspicions and tipped off the police.
The suspect is believed to have murdered her relatives for insurance pay-outs.
Her husband died in 2016, her two daughters in 2005 and 2015 and her son died in July 2023.
National police spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said for the past two months, Sergeant Keshi Mabunda and a team of detectives have been working on this case following a tip-off from relatives of the unnamed suspect.
Mabunda was roped in to kick-start investigations because of his expertise in solving similar cases.
Mathe said the body of one of the woman’s relatives was exhumed, and a forensic team was able to link the dots.
“The murder that was initially ruled a ‘natural death’ and happened in Mmabatho in the Northwest, where a female relative died under mysterious circumstances in March 2023. Investigations have revealed that the suspect fraudulently took out insurance on behalf of her relative prior to her murder,” Mathe said.
“Through analysis and collection of evidence, including the exhumation of a body, the team was able to link its latest suspect to the team’s first focus of the case. The suspect has, according to investigations, pocketed large amounts of money throughout her activities.
“The investigation team is led by renowned detective Sergeant Keshi Mabunda, who cracked the case of policewoman turned serial killer Rosemary Ndlovu, who killed her relatives and cashed in on their life insurance policies.
“For the past two months, a team of detectives have been working on this case following a tip-off from relatives of this suspect”.
Mathe warned insurance companies and families to be extra vigilant and alert to such criminal activities.
She said any acts of criminality can be reported to the Crime Stop at 086 001 0111 or their nearest police station, where they will be assigned to a detective.
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