Woman Who Hired Her Neighbour To Kill Her Uncle For Insurance Payout, Sentenced To 26 Years Imprisonment
A 37-year-old South African lady who hired her neighbour to kill her uncle so she could benefit from an insurance policy has been sentenced to 26 years imprisonment.
Ejes Gist News reports that Nompelo Maloyi and her neighbour and hitman Yithulwazi “Lwazi” Kay, 35, were sentenced in the High Court of South Eastern Cape Division.
Kay also received a 26 year jail term.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the duo were convicted for the murder of 66-year-old Mynhardt Maloyi.
The victim was found inside his house on Henry Street in Graaff-Reinet with multiple stab wounds to his upper body in November 2022.
Nompelo, who was Maloyi’s niece, was the beneficiary of several insurance policies, which she had taken out on him.
The total insurance was worth R165,000.
“Evidence presented in court revealed that she orchestrated the murder by soliciting the assistance of her neighbour, Kay, promising him a fee of R20,000 for his involvement,” said NPA spokesperson Luxolo Tyali.
Maloyi was killed at his Umasizakhe township home in Graaff-Reinet on November 25, 2022.
On the night of the murder, Nompelo left her child with another neighbour, and together with Kay, armed with a knife, went to the Mynhardt’s home.
“Acting as his primary caregiver, Nompelo gained access to the house.
“Once inside, the two accosted Mynhardt, bound his hands and feet with shoelaces, struck him on the head with a blunt object, and stabbed him multiple times in the neck.
He succumbed to his injuries and died at the scene.”
The NPA reported that his body was discovered the next morning after Nompelo pretended to be concerned and asked a neighbour to check on her uncle while delivering groceries.
“After the murder, Nompelo submitted claims against the insurance policies for financial gain.”
However, her involvement in the crime soon came to light when Kay, dissatisfied with the incomplete payment of his promised fee, began threatening her.
“In a desperate move, Nompelo sought assistance from others to either eliminate Kay or lend her the balance of the promised fee.”
The State had argued for a life sentence, according to the NPA, but the court found that there were compelling and significant circumstances that called for a lesser sentence.
“The prosecution intends to appeal what they deem an inappropriately lenient sentence.”
Eastern Cape Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Barry Madolo commended the teams for a successful prosecution.
“The conviction reflects our serious stance on premeditated murders committed for self-serving insurance gains, a troubling national trend.”
