Gqeberha – Shayhieda Dollie (51) will spend the next 25 years behind bars after being sentenced in the Gqeberha High Court on Wednesday, 27 November, for the gruesome murder of her 22-year-old son, Moegamat Thaafir Dollie. The sentence, handed down for murder and conspiracy to commit murder, brings a tragic end to a meticulously planned scheme aimed at securing a R2 million life insurance payout.
The court heard how Dollie, struggling with her son’s drug addiction and disruptive behaviour, allegedly sought a “permanent solution” to her problems. This “solution,” according to National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesman Luxolo Tyali, involved a chilling conspiracy. “Dollie, an unemployed woman, had been experiencing problems with her son, who struggled with drug addiction and was considered a nuisance at home. Seeking advice, she allegedly consulted with various people who suggested a ‘permanent solution’,” Tyali explained.
This alleged “permanent solution” involved hiring hitmen from Johannesburg, with the assistance of two accomplices, known only as “Shaun” and “Oompie.”
The initial cost for the contract was a shockingly low R80,000, but due to delays, allegedly caused by Dollie’s procrastination, the price escalated to R380,000.
The hitmen, having successfully lured Moegamat, carried out the murder, leaving him with gunshot wounds to the head and neck. His body was later discovered in Missionvale by police.
Police spokeswoman Captain Sandra Janse Van Rensburg confirmed the discovery: “As the investigation continued, members later identified the deceased as Moegamat Dollie (22) from Gelvandale. Motive for the murder was to ensure a policy payout,” she said.
The motive, according to the prosecution, was purely financial. Dollie allegedly intended to use the R2 million insurance payout to cover the hitmen’s fees. A significant portion of this payout was intended to cover the cost of the hitmen. “The motive was allegedly to claim R2-million in life insurance, which would be used to pay the hitmen,” Tyali confirmed. The state opposed bail, and the matter was postponed for profile verification purposes.
Senior State Advocate Ismat Cerfontein, in arguing for a harsh sentence, highlighted the extreme cruelty of the crime, describing the murder of a son by his own mother as an act of exceptional brutality. Advocate Cerfontein called for a sentence that would reflect the gravity of the offense and serve as a deterrent to others.
The court ultimately sentenced Dollie to 10 years' imprisonment for conspiracy to commit murder and a further 25 years for the murder itself. The NPA welcomed the sentence, with Eastern Cape Director of Public Prosecutions Barry Madolo expressing satisfaction. He stated that the conviction and sentencing demonstrated the justice system’s unwavering commitment to holding those who commit such heinous crimes accountable.
This case is not an isolated incident. Another recent case involves a 43-year-old Limpopo police officer detained on suspicion of killing six people, allegedly to fraudulently benefit from insurance payouts totalling at least R10 million. The officer, arrested after reporting for duty at the Senwabarwana police station, allegedly began her killing spree in 2019. National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed that the arrest followed a lengthy investigation into allegations of fraudulent claims from various banks and insurance companies.
The ongoing investigation into the accomplices, Shaun and Oompie, remains a critical aspect of bringing justice to this tragic case.
