Rosemary Ndlovu is a former South African policewoman who was convicted of killing six people, including her boyfriend and five relatives, between 2012 and 2018.
She committed the murders to collect life and funeral insurance payouts, amounting to more than R1.4 million ($93,000).
She was sentenced to six life terms and 30 years in prison in 2021.
Here is more information about her background, crimes, and current situation.
Rosemary Ndlovu background and career
Rosemary Ndlovu was born in Bushbuckridge in Mpumalanga in the late 1970s.
She joined the South African Police Service (SAPS) and worked as a sergeant at the Tembisa police station.
She was regarded as a respected and hardworking officer, but she also had a gambling addiction and often borrowed money from loan sharks.
Rosemary Ndlovu murders and motives
Ndlovu’s first victim was her cousin, Witness Madala Homu, who was found beaten to death in Olifantsfontein in March 2012.
Ndlovu received over R131,000 in insurance for his death.
Her second victim was her sister, Audrey Somisa Ndlovu, who died of poisoning and strangulation at Ndlovu’s house in June 2013.
Ndlovu collected R717,421.17 for her death.
Her third victim was her niece, Zanele Motha, who was killed by beating in June 2013.
Ndlovu received around R119,840 for her death.
Her fourth victim was her boyfriend and father of her child, Maurice Mabasa, who was stabbed 76 times and dumped in Olifantsfontein in October 2015.
Ndlovu received more than R131,000 for his death.
Her fifth victim was her nephew, Mayeni Mashaba, who was killed in Olifantsfontein in April 2017, after meeting Ndlovu the day before.
Her sixth and final victim was another nephew, Brilliant Mashego, who was last seen alive with Ndlovu in Bushbuckridge in January 2018 and found dead two days later.
Ndlovu had taken out funeral policies for Mashego.
| Victim | Date of Death | Method of Death | Amount Received (R) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Witness Madala Homu | March 2012 | Beaten to Death | 131,000 |
| Audrey Somisa Ndlovu | June 2013 | Poisoning and Strangulation | 717,421.17 |
| Zanele Motha | June 2013 | Beating | 119,840 |
| Maurice Mabasa | October 2015 | Stabbed 76 times | 131,000 |
| Mayeni Mashaba | April 2017 | Unknown | – |
| Brilliant Mashego | January 2018 | Unknown | – |
Ndlovu’s motive for the murders was to profit from the life and funeral insurance policies that she had taken out for her relatives and boyfriend.
She had nominated herself as the beneficiary and forged their signatures on the documents.
She also lied about their cause of death and relationship to her to claim the money.
Rosemary Ndlovu arrest
Ndlovu’s killing spree ended when she was arrested in March 2018, after trying to hire an undercover police officer and another man, posing as hitmen, to burn her sister Joyce and her five children alive at their home.
The police had set up a sting operation after being tipped off by the man that Ndlovu had approached.
They recorded Ndlovu discussing the details of the plan and saying that she needed the money.
Rosemary Ndlovu trial
Ndlovu was charged with six counts of murder, seven counts of incitement to commit murder, one count of attempted murder, four counts of fraud, one count of theft by false pretenses, one count of forgery, one count of uttering a forged document, one count of defeating the ends of justice, one count of conspiracy to commit murder, one count of conspiracy to commit fraud.
Ndlovu pleaded not guilty to all the charges and denied any involvement in the murders.
She accused many of the 50 state witnesses of lying or being coerced by the police.
She also claimed that she had taken out the insurance policies for her relatives as a gesture of love and care.
However, the prosecution presented evidence that linked Ndlovu to the murders and the insurance claims.
They showed that she had been with most of her victims before their deaths or had noticed that they were missing.
They also showed that she had received large sums of money from the insurance companies shortly after their deaths.
The trial lasted for three months at the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg.
On 22 October 2021, Judge Jody Kollapen found Ndlovu guilty on all counts except theft by false pretenses.
He said that Ndlovu had acted with premeditation and greed and had shown no remorse or empathy for her victims.
He described her as a “cold-blooded killer” who had abused her position as a policewoman to commit the crimes.
Rosemary Ndlovu sentence and appeal
On 5 November 2021, Judge Kollapen sentenced Ndlovu to six life terms for the murders, 10 years for each of the seven incitement to commit murder charges, 10 years for the attempted murder of her mother, and 10 years for the four fraud counts.
The sentences will run concurrently, meaning that Ndlovu will spend the rest of her life in prison.
Judge Kollapen said that Ndlovu had shown no remorse or willingness to take responsibility for her actions.
He said that she had betrayed the trust of her family and the public and had caused immense pain and suffering to her victims and their loved ones.
He said that she had displayed a “callous disregard for human life” and had posed a threat to society.
Ndlovu’s lawyer, Advocate Amanda Nel, applied for leave to appeal against the conviction and sentence, arguing that there were errors of law and fact in the judgment.
She said that Ndlovu had not received a fair trial and that there was insufficient evidence to prove her guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
However, Judge Kollapen dismissed the application, saying that there were no reasonable prospects of success on appeal.
He said that he was satisfied that he had applied the correct legal principles and had considered all the relevant facts and evidence in reaching his verdict and sentence.
He said that Ndlovu had received a fair trial and that her rights had been respected throughout the proceedings.
Where is Rosemary Ndlovu now?
Rosemary Ndlovu is currently incarcerated at the Johannesburg Correctional Centre, also known as Sun City Prison.
She will remain there until she dies, unless she is granted parole or a presidential pardon, which are highly unlikely.
Ndlovu has exhausted her legal options to challenge her conviction and sentence, unless she petitions the Supreme Court of Appeal or the Constitutional Court directly, which are also unlikely to succeed.
Rosemary Ndlovu Showmax documentary
Rosemary Ndlovu’s crimes are the subject of a Showmax Original true-crime documentary series titled Rosemary’s Hitlist, which premiered on 14 June 2023.
The series, produced by IdeaCandy and directed by Valen’tino Mathibela, features interviews with police officers who investigated Ndlovu’s case, as well as her relatives, friends, and neighbours.
The series also reveals exclusive footage of Ndlovu’s sting operation and trial, where she was exposed as a cold-blooded killer.
NEW SHOW:
Rosemary’s Hitlist
Showmax Original true-crime documentary series about cop-turned-serial-killer Nomia Rosemary Ndlovu.
Produced by IdeaCandy & directed by Valen’tino Mathibela.
Premieres first on June 14th, with new episodes on Thursdays. #KgopoloReports pic.twitter.com/jKWamRXJSY
— Kgopolo (@PhilMphela) May 15, 2023
Rosemary’s Hitlist consists of four episodes, each focusing on a different aspect of Ndlovu’s story. The first episode, The Policewoman, introduces Ndlovu as a respected and hardworking officer who had a dark side.
The second episode, Bloodlines, explores Ndlovu’s family background and her motives for killing her relatives.
The third episode, Sting, shows how Ndlovu was caught red-handed while trying to hire hitmen to kill her sister and her five children.
In the fourth and final episode, Killsurance, covers Ndlovu’s trial and conviction, where she was sentenced to six life terms and 30 years in prison.
Rosemary’s Hitlist has received rave reviews from critics and viewers alike, who have praised the series for its gripping storytelling, compelling interviews, and shocking revelations.
The series has been compared to Devilsdorp, another Showmax Original true-crime sensation that won four SAFTAs in 2022.
Conclusion
Rosemary Ndlovu is a serial killer and former policewoman who killed six people, including her boyfriend and five relatives, between 2012 and 2018, to collect life and funeral insurance payouts.
She was arrested in 2018 after trying to hire hitmen to kill her sister and her five children.
Rosemary Ndlovu was convicted on 21 counts of murder, incitement to commit murder, attempted murder, fraud, forgery, uttering a forged document, defeating the ends of justice, conspiracy to commit murder, and conspiracy to commit fraud.
She was sentenced to six life terms and 30 years in prison in 2021. She is currently serving her sentence at the Johannesburg Correctional Centre, where she will spend the rest of her life.
