By Kopano Dibakwane
The police have uncovered shocking details relating to the brutal murder of a 61-year-old male pensioner, Sydwell Sibisi, who was reportedly hacked to death with an axe and a panga on 31 January 2025, while travelling on the road between Volksrust and Daggakraal.
Sibisi, travelling with another family member, reportedly stopped on the side of the road to attend a flat tire when a white Toyota Fortuner appeared and stopped in front of them.
Mpumalanga police spokesperson, Lt-Col Jabu Ndubane, said two individuals emerged from the Toyota Fortuner, handcuffed the family member and proceeded to viscously attack Sibisi. The weapons used against Sibisi were reportedly left on the crime scene by the two perpetrators.
“ A murder case was opened and an investigation immediately commenced. A team of experts in the investigation field was assembled to work diligently towards apprehending the perpetrators.
“ Their tireless efforts revealed some concerning details that the murder was somehow connected to insurance fraud and theft, whereby the suspects somehow used the victim and registered him, cash out on his death without his knowledge,” said Lt-Col Ndubane.
The suspects, Sbongile Pertunia Sibisi (47) and stepson Ndumiso Romeo Mabona (23) , were reportedly cornered in Daggakraal on Friday 13 June 2025, following a tactical operation involving the Standerton K9 Unit, Detectives from Standerton and Daggakraal, Visible Policing Unit, as well as a private security company.
Mpumalanga Acting Provincial Police Commissioner, Major-General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi, expressed concern about the prevalence of murder related to insurance claims.
“ I encourage investigators to dig deep on similar cases as it is now clear that we are faced with serious societal moral ills that somehow contribute to these murders,” said Major-General Mkhwanazi.
The two suspects appeared at the Amersfoort magistrate court on 17 June 2025 where their case was postponed to 18 June for legal representative.
