Adoptive Father and Hitmen
By Lerato Mpembe
A heartbreaking verdict was delivered at the Western Cape High Court in Knysna on Friday when Mboneleli Msila, his accomplices, and hired hitmen were handed lengthy prison terms for the calculated murder of his adopted, mentally disabled daughter, Nosipho Mafana. The brutal killing was carried out for financial gain—specifically, to claim funeral policy payouts totalling R600 000 .
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🎯 The Crime: A Chilling Plot for Funeral Payout
• Msila and his wife adopted Nosipho at age 11.
• Between April 2021 and March 2022, Msila orchestrated the take-out of three funeral policies from Standard Bank, FNB, and Capitec, insuring Nosipho for R100 000 to R200 000 each—with payouts triggered by an unnatural or accidental death .
• No one else knew of the deadly plan—Msila even tried to recruit neighbours and family before hiring hitmen .
• On 30 April 2022, Mbulelo Jack, Monde Tshemese, and Lungisile Lucas carried out the fatal attack at Nosipho’s home in KwaNokuthula. Jack identified Nosipho, Tshemese shot her 15 times while Lucas stood guard. Two other young women and residents escaped unharmed .
• A tin collector witnessed the killers fleeing and identified them to police, sparking the investigation .
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⚖️ Sentences Handed Down at Knysna High Court
• Mboneleli Msila (57) – Received two life sentences for premeditated murder and conspiracy.
• Monde Tshemese (35) – Also received two life sentences, plus five years for illegal firearm and ammunition possession .
• Mbulelo Jack (25) and Lungisile Lucas (41) – Each given 17 years for murder and conspiracy, sentences to run concurrently .
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💵 Funeral Policy Payout Outcome
• Msila attempted to claim the Standard Bank payout but was refused once the case attracted police scrutiny.
• Meanwhile, FNB and Capitec processed their payouts of R200 000 each to Msila’s sister-in-law and to his wife respectively .
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👏 Commendation for Law Enforcement
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila praised the investigation, highlighting the methodical planning by the accused driven by greed .
Western Cape Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocates Nicolette Bell, lauded the legal team and police for securing justice, characterising the crime as “barbaric” and emblematic of a “sick society” .
Garden Route District Commissioner Maj‑Gen Phumzile Cetyana emphasised that even caretakers entrusted with vulnerable individuals must be held accountable for exploitation and abuse .
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🧠 Atrocious Gender‑Based Violence
Judge Derek Wille noted that the murder constituted a severe act of gender-based violence. He stressed that such acts would not be tolerated and all perpetrators, regardless of motive, would face harsh sentencing .
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🚨 A Wake‑Up Call for Society
• This case spotlights the dark potential behind funeral and insurance schemes, and the vulnerabilities of those with mental disabilities.
• It casts doubt on ethical standards among legal guardians and serves as a sobering reminder to financial institutions to improve fraud detection and vetting processes.
• The sentences meted out send a strong message: lives driven by greed will face the full weight of the law.
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👪 Justice for Nosipho Mafana
Nosipho was described as a fragile, trustful young woman, tragically betrayed by the person who should have protected her.
Although nothing brings her back, the court’s decision offers a semblance of closure. Msila, Tshemese, Jack, and Lucas will spend decades—or their lives—behind bars for their callous crime.
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