Western Cape Man Charged with Murder for Alleged Hit on Disabled Adopted Daughter

In what appears to be a chilling act of premeditated murder, a 55-year-old Western Cape man, Mboneleli Msila, is accused of hiring a hitman to take the life of his adopted disabled daughter, aiming to cash in on a life insurance policy. This distressing case emerged in the Plettenberg Bay Magistrate’s Court this Wednesday, where the calculated nature of the malevolent plan was laid bare.

Msila faces serious charges including murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and illegal possession of both a firearm and ammunition. These accusations stem from an incident that occurred nearly a year ago, in which his adopted daughter, Nosipho Mfana, was mercilessly killed. Mfana, who faced challenges both mentally and physically, was adopted at the age of 13 after her own mother, similarly challenged, was declared unfit to provide care.

The harrowing attack took place during the night of April 30, 2022, at their residence on Cuba Street, Kwanokuthula, in Plettenberg Bay. Prosecutors claim two men forced entry into the home, with at least one wielding a firearm. Mfana was sleeping in the dining area, not far from where Msila supposedly slumbered. The attackers let loose a rain of bullets, striking the unsuspecting Mfana about 15 times. Mercifully, no one else present suffered physical harm.

Remarkably, Msila's wife was not home during the incident, as she spent the night at her mother's place. This detail paints a suspicious picture, especially given the subsequent revelations regarding the insurance policy. The NPA's Eric Ntabazalila emphasized the state's vigorous stance in the case, spurred by the sheer brutality and potential motive surrounding this unfathomable crime.

Subsequent investigations unearthed unsettling evidence implicating Msila in a series of suspicious activities leading up to the murder. Earlier that same year, he made attempts to procure a firearm, though those efforts fell through. He's also alleged to have offered a witness R40,000 in exchange for the execution of the heinous act.

The aftermath of the crime saw a hasty insurance payout. Just a week following Mfana's death, a policy amounting to a substantial R200,000 was claimed—a sum that found its way to Msila's wife. This turn of events further compounds the suspicions regarding the true motives behind this atrocity.

This case saw quick developments, with three individuals – Mbulelo Jack, Lungisile Lucas, and Monde Tshemese – arrested for their connections to the crime. It’s of note that Jack holds a family tie to Msila, as he is the accused man's nephew. Their case will unfold further in February, as they reappear before the courts, where the full scope of their involvement will be scrutinized.

The Western Cape National Prosecuting Authority is taking a firm stand, seeking to keep Msila behind bars as the case progresses. They intend to fight vigorously against any bail application, a stance reflective of the serious nature of the alleged crime.

This story has sent shockwaves through the community, resurfacing fears about the safety of society's most vulnerable members and the depths of human depravity when financial gain is at stake. Now, it rests with the judicial system to peel back the layers of this sordid affair and render justice for Nosipho Mfana, a soul tragically lost amidst greed and malevolence.