A 47-year-old woman who operated as a loan shark has been found guilty of murder and extortion linked to an unpaid loan.
Busisiwe Dladla was convicted of the murder of Mzwandile Konki over a R15,000 loan.
The South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg convicted Dladla on multiple charges, including two counts of kidnapping, torture, murder, extortion and money laundering.
Phindi Mjonondwane, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority, said that Konki was first kidnapped on September 5, 2022, after he failed to repay the loan. While he was detained, his family was threatened and pressured to pay money for his release. He was eventually released, only to be kidnapped again four days later.
“During the second kidnapping, the deceased was tortured and assaulted by four unidentified men, believed to have been hired by Dladla. Konki later succumbed to his injuries,” said Mjonondwane.
Mjonondwane further stated that evidence revealed that funds extorted from Konki’s family were paid into the account of Dladla’s daughter, Sinethemba Dladla, 25, and were later transferred to her younger sister, Cebisile Dladla, 41, in an attempt to conceal the proceeds of crime.
They were both charged and convicted of money laundering.
During the trial, Dladla denied knowing the assailants responsible for Konki’s torture. However, State Advocate Colleen Ryan presented WhatsApp messages linking Dladla directly to the perpetrators.
The court found Dladla’s version of events to be inconsistent and rejected her testimony.
The matter has been postponed to April 15, 2026, for sentencing proceedings. Dladla remains in custody, while her co-accused have been released on bail pending sentencing.
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