SOUTH AFRICA – On Monday, January 31, a 49-year-old mother was sentenced to 20 years in jail for orchestrating her son’s death in order to profit from a life insurance policy taken out in his name.

Ziningi Jane Nzama, 49, pled guilty to charges of premeditated murder and fraud on January 24, 2022, according to a South African Police Service (SAPS) spokeswoman in KwaZulu-Natal, Lieutenant Colonel Nqobile Gwala.

In April 2021, the body of her 20-year-old son, Asanda Kwanda Nzama, was discovered inside a residence in Esikhelekehleni, Ichanga. He was shot in the head and body and was pronounced dead at the scene.

“After an intensive investigation by the investigating officer assigned to investigate the docket, the accused Ziningi Jane Nzama was arrested on 11 December 2021 for the premeditated murder of her son,” said Gwala.

Simphiwe Silangwe, 29, and Mthokoziseni Majozi, 49, have also been detained in connection with the murder and are facing the same allegations as Nzama.

The mother had her son slain, according to the police investigation, because she had taken out insurance policies in his name. The mother was sentenced to 20 years in prison by the Pietermaritzburg High Court.

The two co-accused have been remanded in detention until February 24. They will appear in front of the Camperdown Magistrate’s Court.