FOUR IN COURT FOR ALLEGED INSURANCE PAYOUT MURDERS
Four accused appeared before the Motherwell Magistrates’ Court in Gqeberha, facing serious charges in connection with murders allegedly linked to insurance payout schemes that have shaken the Dyakalashe Street community in Motherwell. The accused, Andisiwe Siwe Zondani (32), Siphamandla Spa Matsha (29), Ayanda Akhanani Yeklea (29), and Siphokazi Mabuto (27), face a total of 17 charges, including six counts of conspiracy to commit murder, two counts of murder, five counts of attempted murder, and multiple counts related to the unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
According to the allegations, Siphokazi Mabuto orchestrated the hits on her aunt, Kholelwa Mabuto, whom she referred to as her mother. Kholelwa, an employee of the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality, had named Siphokazi as a beneficiary on her insurance policies. On 17 April 2024, a shooting at the Mabuto family home in Motherwell left Kholelwa permanently blind and her brother, Thando Mabuto, injured. Following the attack, Siphokazi’s boyfriend, Sicelo Manyashe, brought his sister, Thembakazi Manyashe, to assist in caring for Kholelwa.
A second tragic incident occurred on 9 October 2024, when a shooting took place at the same residence, this time in the presence of six family members. During the attack, Siyanda Mabuto and Sicelo Manyashe were fatally shot. Police investigations have revealed that the crimes were allegedly motivated by a desire to claim insurance payouts and inheritance. The four accused were subsequently arrested and during their court appearance on Monday, they all abandoned their bail applications.
The case has been postponed to 25 November 2024 for further investigations.
