Xolani Manengela (42), owner of Manengela Funeral Services, was sentenced by the Mthatha Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on April 2 for fraud. Manengela falsely claimed that Sandile Mhlaba, who was already deceased, was a relative to fraudulently obtain an insurance payout worth R100 000.
According to Hawks Spokesperson, Captain Yolisa Mgolodela, on 28 January 2017, Manengela a policy holder at 1 Life Direct, claimed for on behalf of the deceased, Sandile Mhlaba whom he claimed to be his relative yet he was not .
“Manengela insured Mhlaba knowing that he was already deceased by the time of insuring him. Manengela therefore falsely, intentionally and unlawfully misrepresented facts in order to induce the payment of R100 000 claim on behalf of the deceased,” she said.
She explained that the claim was processed and the money successfully paid to his account.
“After payment, during auditing a discrepancy was picked up from the documentation submitted.
“The matter was reported to the Mthatha Serious Commercial Crime Investigation of the Hawks in September 2017 for probing which culminated in his arrest on 19 August 2020,” she added.
“Manangela appeared in Mthatha Specialised Commercial Crime Court the very same day of his arrest and was released on R5000 bail.
“He made numerous court appearances until his conviction and sentencing on 2 April 2024. He was then sentenced to pay R10 000 or undergo 5 years direct imprisonment of which R5000 was to be paid on the same day of sentencing and another R5000 to be paid on or before 30 April 2024,” she concluded.
The Acting Provincial Head Brigadier Vanessa Shantelle Hastings commended the efforts of the investing team for securing the conviction and sentencing of the accused.
