In a case that has shocked South Africa, a mother from Gqeberha, formerly Port Elizabeth, is accused of orchestrating the murder of her 22-year-old son to allegedly claim life insurance money. Shayhieda Dollie, 49, made her first appearance in the New Brighton Magistrate’s Court on Friday, charged with the murder of her son, Moegamat Thaafir Dollie, who was found dead on October 28 with gunshot wounds to his head and neck.
Dollie was arrested on November 6, following an investigation by South African police. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) disclosed that Dollie, an unemployed resident of the Gelvandale neighborhood, allegedly devised a plan to have her son killed after enduring longstanding personal struggles with him. Moegamat had reportedly battled drug addiction, which had strained their relationship and made him difficult to live with, according to NPA spokesperson Luxolo Tyali.
The case has taken a grim turn with details suggesting Dollie sought advice from acquaintances who proposed what has been described as a “permanent solution” to her family troubles. This advice reportedly led Dollie to work with two individuals, known as “Shaun” and “Oompie,” who helped arrange hitmen from Johannesburg to carry out the plan.
Initially, the price for the hit was quoted at R80,000 (about $4,200), but due to alleged delays in executing the plan, the cost ballooned to R380,000 (approximately $20,000). According to the NPA, Dollie then devised a ruse, telling her son he had a job interview to lure him into a car with the hitmen, who then carried out the killing.
A key motive in the case, according to the prosecution, was financial gain. Dollie allegedly intended to claim a life insurance policy worth around R2 million ($106,000) after her son’s death. This payout was reportedly intended to fund the final payment for the hitmen, although authorities did not specify how much of the total sum was earmarked for them.
In addition to murder, Dollie faces charges of conspiracy to commit murder, and the NPA has signaled that it will oppose her bail application, arguing she poses a potential flight risk. The case has been adjourned until November 15, as authorities complete profile verification and continue their investigation.
Local law enforcement has confirmed that more arrests are likely as the investigation progresses, suggesting that other individuals involved in the alleged plot could be taken into custody. Eastern Cape police have vowed to leave no stone unturned in bringing all those responsible for this crime to justice.
This case has drawn intense public interest in South Africa, where issues of crime, familial strife, and financial desperation continue to resonate. While South African courts deal regularly with cases of violent crime, the alleged involvement of a mother in a murder-for-insurance plot has struck a particularly sensitive chord, sparking conversations about the country’s struggle with addiction, poverty, and the lengths to which some might go in dire circumstances.
