An Eastern Cape couple and their three accomplices have received lengthy prison sentences for conspiring to murder an employee to claim funeral policy payouts.
The couple employed the victim, who lived on the same street in Lingelihle, Nxuba (formerly Cradock), in 2021.
In October 2022, the victim and her boyfriend were attacked in their home. Her boyfriend was fatally stabbed, while she was stabbed and raped but survived to testify against the assailants.
This week, the high court in Makhanda, sitting in Nxuba, sentenced Zizipho Pani, 34, her husband Siyathemba James, 39, their relative Sinethemba Pani, 34, and Sizwesethu Jonas, 34, to life imprisonment plus 15 years for their roles in the crimes. Masixole Sokoyi, 19, a minor at the time who raped the woman, received a 25-year prison sentence.
Judge Nozuko Mviko highlighted the importance of imposing deterrent sentences for crimes motivated by insurance payouts.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Luxolo Tyali…
Source: Linda Ikeji
