Convicted serial killer and former police officer Rosemary Ndlovu returned to the Kempton Park Regional Court on Thursday as closing arguments wrapped up in the latest criminal case against her, with judgment expected next week.
Ndlovu and her co-accused, former police officer Nomsa Mudau, are accused of orchestrating a murder-for-hire plot targeting Mudau’s husband, Justice Mudau, in an alleged scheme linked to a R3 million life insurance payout.
The pair face charges of conspiracy to commit murder and incitement under the Riotous Assemblies Act. According to evidence presented in court, an alleged hitman was promised R80,000 to carry out the killing.
The case has drawn widespread public attention because Ndlovu is already serving six life sentences and an additional 125 years imprisonment after being convicted in 2021 for murdering several relatives and loved ones in order to claim insurance and funeral policy payouts.
Prosecutors argued during closing arguments that the latest allegations followed a similar pattern in which financial gain allegedly motivated the planned killing.
The State maintained that evidence presented throughout the trial strongly implicated both accused. Prosecutors argued that witness testimony consistently pointed to Ndlovu as the person who allegedly facilitated contact between Mudau and individuals approached to carry out the murder.
The court previously heard testimony from several witnesses who claimed they attended meetings in Thembisa where the alleged plot was discussed. One witness testified that Mudau allegedly wanted her husband killed because of marital problems and alleged abuse.
Another witness told the court that the murder plot was never carried out because those approached to commit the crime instead warned Justice Mudau about the threats against his life.
Justice Mudau also testified during the trial, describing the emotional toll the matter had taken on him and his family. Speaking outside court after proceedings on Thursday, he said the lengthy case had left him living in fear and anxiety.
“I am always anxious and looking over my shoulder,” he said, adding that he hoped the matter would finally be concluded.
Mudau has consistently denied the allegations against her. During her testimony, she rejected claims that she wanted her husband killed and insisted she never entered into any conspiracy to commit murder. She also claimed that one of the individuals involved was mentally unstable and that she did not take certain comments seriously.
The defence argued that the State’s case relied heavily on unreliable witnesses and contained contradictions. Lawyers for the accused questioned the credibility of some testimony and argued that prosecutors had failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that a genuine agreement to commit murder existed.
However, the State countered that witness accounts corroborated one another on critical details, including the alleged payment arrangement, meetings held in Thembisa and discussions surrounding the insurance payout.
Prosecutors also highlighted Ndlovu’s decision not to testify in her own defence, arguing that key evidence against her remained unchallenged.
Ndlovu’s criminal history continues to loom large over the proceedings. Her previous conviction shocked South Africa after the court found she had systematically murdered family members, including her sister, boyfriend, nephews and nieces, in order to benefit financially from insurance claims.
The current trial has renewed public scrutiny around insurance-related crimes and the abuse of trust within families and close relationships.
Following final submissions from both legal teams on Thursday, the court postponed the matter to 20 May 2026 for judgment.
