How siblings allegedly plotted Noem My Skollie actor’s murder

The siblings accused of insurance fraud to benefit from the death of Noem My Skollie actor David Manuel and his friend Alfonso Fisher, had been discussing their deaths four days before they were killed.

This is according to the State which is opposing the bail applications of Wanda Mbele, 34, and his sister, Sindiswa Mbele, 36. The duo face charges of fraud and money laundering for their alleged involvement in the life insurance policy murder plot.

The two appeared at the Athlone Magistrates Court for a bail hearing on Wednesday. The siblings, who reportedly lived across the road from Manuel in NY 141, Gugulethu, had allegedly claimed over R100000 in insurance payouts following the murders of Manuel and Fisher on October 8.

The State submitted that their investigations were interrupted when trying to trace potential state witnesses.

According to information revealed in the bail application, Manuel’s brother, Patrick, and a neighbour, Sakhumzi Mantashe, were also targets of the siblings who had tried to increase the insurance amounts of both individuals.

“This court should remember that on the first appearance. The State lamented about the two insured lives who are at risk of being killed. One of these life-insured was the brother of (Manuel). Defence knew that if the State could reach this person earlier, things will not be favourable on the (bail) applicants side as far as the bail application is concerned and during trial.

From the very commencement when we received this information regarding these dubious insurance claims procured by the (accused), the name of Patrick surfaced in this investigation.

“However we were cautioned by our sources not to approach Patrick until we apprehend both (accused).

The reason was simple – after the death of (Manuel), the Mbele family housed Patrick,” the State submitted in their affidavit opposing bail.

The State also submitted that they had attempted to confiscate both accused cellphones for investigation purposes however Sindiswa claimed her cellphone was “recently missing” while Wanda handed in his iPhone 12 to police.

“We have learned that (Wanda) played a leading role in the commission of the offences ... There is a voice note whereby the applicant in his own words said he has instructed (Sindiswa) to go to the police station and make an affidavit for the identification purposes of David. She will then take the affidavit to home affairs to Wanda’s contact. The contact will make a birth certificate for her so that she can go identify the deceased at the State mortuary,” the State submitted.

According to the State, the accused cashed in policies where Wanda received R60000 and Sindiswa R50000.

The State also referred to Whatsapp conversations on October 4 where the duo had a conversation about increasing Patrick’s cover amount. The matter was postponed to November 3 for bail judgment.

Cape Times

• Life insurance possible motive for murder of ‘Noem My Skollie’ actor