A South African couple has been found guilty of murdering the wife’s ex-boyfriend, setting his body on fire, and attempting to collect over R500,000 from life insurance policies.

The Pretoria High Court convicted Sibusiso Mahlangu (34) and Lerato Mahlangu (33) of premeditated murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and three counts of fraud.

According to a statement from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) on Wednesday, November 19, 2024, the couple orchestrated a gruesome plot to kill Sibusiso Sithebe, Lerato’s former partner, to collect the insurance payout.

Before her marriage to Sibusiso Mahlangu, Lerato was in a relationship with the deceased, Sithebe, with whom she had a child. On January 2, 2022, the couple lured Sithebe to their home in Soshanguve, where they killed him. They staged the scene by placing Sibusiso Mahlangu’s ring on the victim’s finger, dressing him in his clothing, and setting the body on fire.

Lerato then pretended to have arrived from Kwa-Mhlanga in Mpumalanga after being notified of the fire. She falsely identified the body as her husband’s to the police, which prevented Sithebe’s family from identifying him at the scene.

Lerato went on to submit three fraudulent insurance claims to Old Mutual, where she worked as a sales consultant. On January 6, 2022, she claimed a total of R575,000 for life insurance, funeral cover, and a death benefit.

The plot unraveled when Sibusiso Mahlangu was arrested on April 18, 2023, for possession of a stolen vehicle in Hammanskraal. During the arrest, authorities discovered that he was officially registered as deceased. Lerato was arrested two days later on April 20, 2023.

Though the couple pleaded not guilty, the State, led by Advocate Vusumuzi Tshabalala, presented strong evidence and credible witnesses, including Sibusiso Mahlangu’s mother, who testified about the events surrounding the funeral and how they were unable to view the body due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Judge Papi Masopa, in his ruling, stated that while the case relied on circumstantial evidence, the prosecution had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt. The case is set to continue on November 22, 2024, for a provisional sentencing hearing.

The NPA welcomed the conviction as a significant step in delivering justice to the family of the deceased.