Court Examines Texts from Fraud-Accused Siblings Plotting to Secure Lucrative Payout from Gums’ Death
WhatsApp messages exchanged between two siblings accused of committing fraud linked to the death of ‘Noem my Skollie’ actor David “Gums” Manuel revealed they were agitated for higher insurance payouts just days prior to the actor’s violent murder.
Siblings Wanda Mbele and Sindiswa Mbele were apprehended and charged with fraud and money laundering shortly after the deaths of Manuel and his close friend Alfonso Fisher on 8 October in NY 141, Gugulethu.
The siblings, who are not facing murder charges, appeared at the Athlone Magistrates Court yesterday, where their families and community members filled the public gallery, visibly emotional and distressed.
The State presented a supplementary affidavit opposing their bail application.
The WhatsApp conversations reveal exchanges between the brother, who mentioned he had just come back from Capitec to increase the policy taken out.
He then expressed, “this is unsettling” and “I know, but they are going to die Sindi”.
The State argued that these messages indicated the siblings were aware that the two men were likely to be killed soon.
On 4 October, they had another WhatsApp exchange regarding raising the insurance amount for Patrick Manuel, David’s brother.
On 12 October, Wanda emailed the office of Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie, referring to herself as a concerned neighbor of the late actor.
In her letter, she wrote: “This is now a plea to the Minister for assistance so we can give the star a proper burial, as he left nothing behind and we, as the community, are humbly seeking help regarding this matter.”
The State revealed that there were deleted messages on Wanda’s phone that need to be recovered.
Additionally, there were WhatsApp messages and voice notes, including some between the siblings, that supported the State’s case.
A voice note from Wanda indicated he instructed Sindiswa to visit the police station to create an affidavit for David’s identification.
She would then take the affidavit to a contact that Wanda had at Home Affairs to help her obtain a birth certificate for identifying the deceased at the State mortuary.
The prosecutor stated: “I need to bring to the court’s attention that based on our experience in these insurance fraud cases, those involved often enlist the help of insiders at institutions to facilitate the claim process.
“We are investigating that lead to identify the Home Affairs contact of applicant 1 and any potential rewards involved.
“The same investigation applies for the contacts at Capitec Bank and Old Mutual Group Schemes.”
The Defense opposed the State’s application, alleging it was a tactic to delay proceedings.
The matter has been adjourned until 3 December for a bail ruling.
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