A 55-year-old man is accused of planning to have his adopted daughter killed for insurance money.
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Mboneleli Msila appeared in the Plettenberg Bay Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday on charges of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, illegal possession of a firearm and illegal possession of ammunition.
Eric Ntabazalila, spokesperson for the Western Cape National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), says the incident allegedly occurred on 30 April 2022, when two men forced their way into a home on 15 Cuba Street in Kwanokuthula, Plettenberg Bay.
‘One of the two men was armed with a firearm. At the time, Mfana was one of three people sleeping on a mattress in the dining area of the house, which forms part of the kitchen. The accused was asleep in the bedroom of the house. His wife slept at her mother’s house that night.’
According to senior state advocate John Reyneveld, the suspects shot at the girl 15 times. IOL reports that she was shot in the chest, abdomen, lower body, and arms. No one else was harmed in the shooting, and no belongings were stolen.
‘Advocate Reyneveld told the court that the investigation revealed that the deceased who was the target of the shooting, was mentally challenged,’ Ntabazalila.
Reyneveld told the court that Msila and his wife adopted the girl when she was 13 years old because her mother, who is mentally challenged, could not take care of her.
‘The investigation also revealed that Msila attempted to procure a firearm in January 2022, but was unsuccessful.’ It is also alleged that he offered to pay a witness R40 000 to murder his adopted daughter.
Mbulelo Jack, Lungisile Lucas and Monde Tshemese were arrested shortly after the incident. Jack is Msila’s nephew.
The State claims that Msila was listed as a primary beneficiary in a life insurance policy held by the deceased, with a potential payout of R200 000. It is also alleged that a week after the victim’s passing, Msila’s wife received the full R200 000 policy payout.
The State has expressed its intention to contest Msila’s application for bail. Jack, Lucas, and Tshemese are scheduled to appear in court again in February.
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