A KILLER

It's thanks to Keshi that South Africa's worst female serial murderer is behind bars

- LESEGO SEOKWANG

HE had big dreams of becoming a lawyer but when he couldn’t afford law school, he switched things up and became a cop instead – and it’s a good thing he did.

Sergeant Keshi Benneth Mabunda is the man who brought Rosemary Ndlovu, believed to be South Africa’s worst female serial killer, to book.

Ndlovu, who was sentenced in 2021, is serving six life terms at the Johannesburg Prison for orchestrating the murders of her partner and five relatives to claim insurance payouts to the tune of R1,4 million.

The trail of death and destruction she left in her wake was recently the subject of a Showmax documentary series, Rosemary’s Hitlist.

Keshi featured in the show, sharing how he hunted down the killer – and since his involvement he’s often recognised when he’s out and about.

“I sometimes wear hats to disguise my identity,” he says. “People greet me even when I’m driving.”

But for this cop, fame isn’t important – knowing Ndlovu is behind bars is all the reward he needs.

For three years he pursued the former policewoman and felt vindicated when the late Judge Ramarumo Monama not only convicted her but praised him for his watertight case.

Had it not been for Keshi, “the files would have been in the police station gathering dust”, Monama said.

His dedication was also recognised by the South African Police Service recently when he was named national detective and forensic services employee of the year.