Slain ANC man insured for R20m

2005-07-24 11:27

Jimmy Seepe

Johannesburg - Nokwanda Ngombane, the widow of slain Free State ANC leader Noby Ngombane, was the sole beneficiary of her husband's insurance claims - worth R20 million.

According to City Nokwanda, who handed herself over to the police, would have received payouts in August from three insurance claims.

However, sources close to the investigation say the insurance companies are unlikely to pay out following Nokwanda's arrest.

It is understood that Noby, who was led to believe that his life was in danger in the Free State as a result of his unpopularity in certain sections of the organisation, had taken several insurance policies on his life a few years ago.

Nokwanda and two relatives were arrested on Friday, a day after her brother, Bongani Mlambo (28), and sister, Sephumle Booi (23), were arrested and appeared in court.

Mlambo, an official at the provincial social development department, faces a charge of murder and Booi, an employee at a clothing design company, faces a charge of accessory to murder.

The arrests of Nokwanda and her relatives marked a dramatic twist in the saga.

Shortly after Noby's murder, Nokwanda claimed that he had been assassinated by rivals within the ANC.

"We (are) talking about a political assassination.

"Let us not beat around the bush when it is said that this murder is a mystery whose motives are unclear. "We are talking about a political killing," she said at the funeral.

She said she knew the identity of the killers and had given their names to the police.

City Press also revealed that some of the individuals Nokwanda tried to frame for Noby's murder included Free State ANC chairperson Ace Magashule and his colleagues Pat Matosa, Barney Molokoane and Mojafi Mojafi.

City Press had earlier reported that Nokwanda had inquired about the insurance benefits that could accrue from Noby's death just 10 days before he was murdered.

It is understood that her conduct after her husband's death led police to consider her as the prime suspect.

She broke with common tradition, firstly by addressing mourners at the funeral, saying that her husband "loved women and his Jack Daniels".

Secondly, she threw a lavish party to mark the end of her mourning period, which was four months in comparison to the average 12 months.

However, she did not invite Noby's family to the party.

Expensive drinks

Free State Premier Beatrice Marshoff and her husband, Siphiwe Mboyane, as well as her close friends and family attended.

It is understood that two cows were slaughtered at the party and expensive drinks were served.

City Press has now learned that one of Nokwanda's close friends was instrumental in assisting police to solve Noby's murder.

It is alleged that just a few weeks after Noby's death, the friend hired an ex-convict to kill her husband. The ex-convict, who was hired after the friend's husband survived an inexplicable earlier attack on his life, was promised R30 000 to carry out the murder.

It is alleged that he was paid R20 000 cash upfront.

But, it is understood, the ex-convict reneged on the deal and, instead of carrying out the attack, told police about the agreement.

Nokwanda's friend was arrested and it is understood that she revealed key information about Noby's death to the police in an effort to save her own skin.

It is believed that she revealed details about events leading up to Noby's murder as well as how it was planned by Nokwanda and her relatives.

Free State police followed up on the information provided by Nokwanda's friend and they made a breakthrough.

However, sources say Nokwanda's friend, despite providing information on Noby's murder, did enter into a deal with police.

Superintendent Annelie Wrensch said in a statement that Nokwanda and two women would remain in custody until tomorrow's bail hearing.

Mlambo and Booi will appear in court on Wednesday.

- City Press