Insurance fraud case against Mbele siblings withdrawn - for now

Siblings Wanda and Sindiswa Mbele during a previous appearance in the Athlone Magistrate’s Court.

Velani Ludidi/News24

The Athlone Magistrate’s Court has provisionally withdrawn the case against Wanda and Sindiswa Mbele.The pair were accused of orchestrating a life insurance scam linked to the murders of “Noem My Skollie” actor David Manuel and his friend,Alfonso Fisher. WhatsApp messages suggested the Mbele siblings knew about the planned killings days in advance.The Athlone Magistrate’s Court has provisionally withdrawn the case against siblings Wanda and Sindiswa Mbele,who are accused of orchestrating a life insurance scam that allegedly led to the murders of Noem My Skollie actor David Manuel and his friend,Alfonso Fisher.

The court made the decision after the prosecutor requested additional time to complete investigations.

Instead,the magistrate ruled that the charges be provisionally withdrawn,with the option to reinstate them once investigations are finalised.

The State had been building a case to charge the Mbele siblings with murder,alleging that Manuel and Fisher were killed on 8 October 2024 as part of a fraudulent life insurance scheme.

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Manuel died at the scene in NY141,Gugulethu,while Fisher later died in hospital.

Investigating officer Sergeant Thembekile Matwa revealed that efforts to link the siblings to the murders had so far been unsuccessful. However,he presented WhatsApp messages exchanged between the siblings that hinted at foreknowledge of the deaths.

One message from Wanda to Sindiswa,dated 4 October,allegedly read: “I know,but bazakufa Sindi [I know,but they are going to die,Sindi].”

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To which Sindiswa simply replied: “Ewe [Yes].”

Matwa said this exchange suggested both siblings knew the two men would be killed four days before the incident.

He also revealed that Wanda had returned to a Capitec branch the next day to take out a funeral policy covering both Manuel brothers and another person,Rasimeni.

Matwa said in his affidavit:

The efforts and determination made by both applicants showed us their great interest to insure the lives of the Manuel brothers before they were killed.

He also presented a letter addressed to Sports,Arts,and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie in which Wanda claimed to be Manuel’s concerned neighbour despite previously referring to himself as a family member.

Matwa said this inconsistency indicated possible deception.

The siblings are also accused of fraudulently insuring the lives of two other people unrelated to them.

As they walked out of court on Tuesday,Wanda and Sindiswa declined to speak to the media.