Two appear in Amersfoort court for pensioner’s murder

Sbongile Petunia Sibisi (47) and Ndumiso Romeo Mabona (23) appeared in the Amersfoort Magistrate’s Court on June 17 on suspicion of theft, fraud, and the murder of Sydwell Sibisi (61).

Sibisi was returning to his home in Daggakraal with a family member on January 31 when they had to stop because of a flat tyre.

Reports indicate that while the two were changing the tyre, a white Toyota Fortuner carrying his two assailants stopped in front of them.

Police reports recount the incident as a brutal attack, stating that the suspects handcuffed the family member and attacked Sibisi with an axe and a panga, leaving the bloodied weapons at the scene.

During their investigation, the police detectives uncovered chilling details connecting the murder of Sibisi to insurance fraud and theft.

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Sbongile, the victim’s wife, and Mabona, his stepson, allegedly planned his murder as a scheme to defraud him.

“The two took out insurance on the victim without his knowledge, intending to cash out after his death,” stated the provincial police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane.

A task force consisting of the Standerton K9 unit, Standerton Detective Services, Daggakraal Detective Services, and Shabangu Brothers Security cornered Sbongile and Mabona in Daggakraal on June 13 during a tactical operation.

General Zeph Mkhwanazi, Mpumalanga acting commissioner of the SAPS, attributed this crime to serious societal moral ills, stating that murders connected to insurance fraud have become more frequent in recent years.

The Amersfoort Magistrate’s Court determined that the suspects will remain in custody until July 30, when a formal bail application will be heard.

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