Times Of Swaziland: MAN DECLARES ALIVE MUM DEAD FOR INSURANCE MONEY

MAN DECLARES ALIVE MUM DEAD FOR INSURANCE MONEY
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Sibusiso Shange on 21/01/2025 08:39:00


MBABANE - In a shocking case of greed, a 33-year-old man attempted to defraud an
insurance company by declaring his mother dead, despite her still being alive.
Velaphi Sipho Nxumalo of Maphiveni under Chief Mbandzamane presented false
information to an officer working under the birth, marriages and deaths (BMDs)
in the Ministry of Home Affairs, falsely claiming his mother, Zodwa Nhlambiso,
had passed away. Nxumalo, who had taken out a funeral cover policy on behalf of
his mother with Dups Insurance, intended to claim the benefits fraudulently.
He appeared before the Mbabane Magistrates Court, charged with contravening
Section 31 of the Birth, Marriage and Death Act of 1983, and pleaded guilty.
When questioned about his actions, Nxumalo admitted to declaring his mother dead
due to desperation after losing his job. He revealed that his mother only became
aware of his deception after his arrest. Magistrate Sifiso Vilakati, while
acknowledging the seriousness of the offence, was bound by the existing
legislation, which prescribes a maximum penalty of a fine of E50 or imprisonment
not exceeding three months.
“This is an outdated statute that requires urgent amendment by the relevant
authorities,” Vilakati stated before sentencing Nxumalo to the maximum penalty
of three months’ imprisonment with the option to pay a fine of E50. This
incident highlights a growing concern, with similar fraudulent activities being
reported in neighbouring South Africa.
Recently, a Limpopo police sergeant was arrested for allegedly benefitting
financially from fraudulent claims on various insurance policies, including
funeral, accident and life insurance. South Africa has witnessed a disturbing
trend of individuals resorting to extreme measures to profit from life insurance
policies. Recent cases have brought to light chilling instances, where
individuals have allegedly orchestrated the deaths of family members to
fraudulently claim their life insurance policies.