For Brutal Funeral Policy Murder
CCN Reporting
Knysna:- – The High Court sitting in Knysna has sentenced four men to long prison terms for the cold-blooded murder of Nosipho Mafana (23), a severely mentally disabled woman, killed in a calculated plan to cash in on funeral policies.
Mboneleli Msila, her adoptive father, and hitman Monde Tshemese were each sentenced to two life terms for conspiracy and premeditated murder. Tshemese also received five years for illegal firearm possession. Mbulelo Jack and Lungisile Lucas were sentenced to 17 years each for their roles. They will serve the sentences concurrently.
In 2021 and 2022, Msila took out several funeral policies on Nosipho’s life, worth over R600,000, naming himself, his wife, and sister-in-law as beneficiaries. He then recruited three men to carry out her killing. On 30 April 2022, the hitmen entered Msila’s home in Plettenberg Bay. Jack pointed out Nosipho, and Tshemese shot her 15 times while she slept on a mattress in the lounge. Lucas waited outside as lookout. Msila, who was home at the time, was left unharmed. Nothing was stolen.
The killers were identified by a local tin collector who saw them enter and leave the yard and later alerted police.
After the murder, Msila claimed payouts from multiple banks. Standard Bank rejected the claim during the investigation, while Capitec and FNB paid out R200,000 each.
Western Cape DPP Adv. Nicolette Bell praised the investigation team, calling the murder “a cruel act of greed” and warning that such barbaric crimes will be met with long-term imprisonment.
Issued by:
Eric Ntabazalila
National Prosecuting Authority – Western Cape
