An Eastern Cape couple and three accomplices have been handed substantial prison sentences for plotting to murder an employee in a scheme to collect funeral policy payouts.
The couple employed the victim, who lived nearby in Lingelihle, Nxuba (formerly Cradock), in 2021.
In October 2022, the victim and her boyfriend were assaulted in their home. Her boyfriend was fatally stabbed, and she was stabbed and assaulted but survived to testify against the attackers.
This week, the high court in Makhanda, sitting in Nxuba, sentenced Zizipho Pani, 34, her husband Siyathemba James, 39, their relative Sinethemba Pani, 34, and Sizwesethu Jonas, 34, to life imprisonment plus 15 years for their roles in the crimes. Masixole Sokoyi, 19, who was a minor at the time and raped the woman, received a 25-year prison term.
Judge Nozuko Mviko emphasized the necessity of imposing severe sentences to deter crimes motivated by insurance payouts.
Luxolo Tyali, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority, disclosed that Zizipho Pani masterminded the plan. She had taken out funeral policies with Standard Bank and Absa in 2021, each worth R200,000 upon the victim's death. Pani had promised the assailants R50,000 to carry out the murder.
Despite being left severely injured, the woman managed to seek help from neighbors who called for medical assistance. She was able to identify her attackers.
Initially evading capture, the perpetrators were later taken to a traditional healer in Cookhouse by Zizipho Pani and her husband. Community members intervened, prompting police intervention and their subsequent arrest.
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