Three Life Sentences: South African Woman Convicted of Family and Church Member Killings
Nonhlanhla Cynthia Mbele, a 42-year-old South African woman, has been sentenced to three life terms for the murders of her sister, brother-in-law, and a church member.
The Durban High Court convicted Mbele for orchestrating the killings to claim insurance payouts.
In a separate case, 43-year-old police sergeant Rachel Kutumela was arrested in October 2024 for allegedly murdering six individuals, including her partner and five relatives, between 2012 and 2018.
Kutumela is accused of committing these murders to collect life and funeral insurance benefits.
These cases highlight a disturbing trend in South Africa, where individuals exploit insurance policies to finance criminal activities.