Police arrested a 40-year-old woman in connection with the murder of her 83-year-old mother, which they suspect is linked to insurance fraud.
Key Points:
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Police arrested a 40-year-old woman for murdering her 83-year-old mother, which is linked to insurance fraud.
- The case involves multiple suspects, including a 25-year-old pastor and a 26-year-old granddaughter.
- Authorities urge the public to report insurance-related crimes to prevent further tragedies.
A 40-year-old woman will appear before the Acornhoek Magistrate’s Court in Mpumalanga on Friday, following her arrest in connection with the murder of her 83-year-old mother. Police link the crime to insurance policy claims.
Authorities withhold the woman’s identity until her court appearance. Authorities have identified the victim as Mandenane Emmie Maonye, aged 83. The suspect’s arrest marks the third individual involved in the case. Two other suspects, a man and a woman, appeared in court on April 10, 2025, and the court remanded them in custody. Mpumalanga provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdhluli stated that their case is set for a hearing on April 15, 2025.
“The investigation received substantial support from the crime intelligence unit,” Mdhluli said. The first suspect, 25-year-old Polite Thaphelo Khoza, claimed to be a pastor. Authorities arrested him in Nelspruit for his alleged involvement in a housebreaking and theft case in Mataffin, just outside Nelspruit, in December 2024.
Further investigation revealed Khoza’s connections to other crimes, including house robbery, kidnapping, and arson. Police recovered stolen items that served as vital evidence, Mdhluli confirmed.
Key Investigation Developments
Investigations revealed that Mandenane Emmie Maonye’s daughter allegedly orchestrated her death in March 2025. Furthermore, her granddaughter, 26-year-old Lebo Magopane, also participated. The court will hear both suspects’ cases today.
Acting provincial police commissioner Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi commended the “remarkable work” by the SAPS crime intelligence unit and collaborating detectives. “The prevalence of alleged murders linked to insurance claims is a disturbing trend,” Mkhwanazi said. “We urge the public to report such cases promptly, as we will investigate them thoroughly.”
Growing Concern Over Insurance Fraud
The Insurance Crime Bureau states that while millions of insurance policies are purchased by genuinely concerned family members in South Africa, a small percentage of fraudsters exploit these policies with sinister motives. Last year, Rosemary Ndlovu, a policewoman, faced trial for orchestrating the deaths of her loved ones to collect insurance payouts.
