In a shocking case of greed and deception, a South African couple has been convicted of murdering the wife’s ex-boyfriend to claim a large insurance payout. The Pretoria High Court found Sibusiso and Lerato Mahlangu guilty of premeditated murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and three counts of fraud.

The plot began on January 2, 2022, when the Mahlangu couple lured Lerato’s ex-boyfriend, Sibusiso Sithebe, to their home in Soshanguve. Once there, they killed him, dressed his body in Sibusiso Mahlangu’s clothes, and set it on fire. To cover up the crime, they staged the scene, making it appear as though the body belonged to Sibusiso Mahlangu himself.

When police arrived, Lerato falsely identified the body as her husband’s, preventing Sithebe’s family from recognizing him. Following this, Lerato, who worked as a sales consultant for Old Mutual, submitted fraudulent insurance claims totaling R575,000. This included R500,000 for life cover, R25,000 for funeral cover, and R50,000 in death benefits.

The couple’s scheme fell apart when Sibusiso Mahlangu was arrested in April 2023 for a stolen car in Hammanskraal. During his arrest, authorities found that he had been mistakenly registered as dead. Two days later, Lerato was also arrested.

In court, the couple pleaded not guilty, but the State presented compelling evidence, including testimony from Sibusiso Mahlangu’s mother. She spoke about the funeral, where Covid-19 regulations prevented the family from viewing the body, further reinforcing their belief that they were burying Sibusiso.

Judge Papi Masopa concluded that although the evidence was circumstantial, it was enough to prove the couple’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The court will set a provisional sentencing date for November 22, 2024.

This conviction has been welcomed by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), which sees it as an important step in delivering justice for the family of Sibusiso Sithebe.