The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has begun compiling a series of provincial corruption snap-shots to demonstrate the work that is being done to hold criminals to account. In the first, we look at progress being made in cracking down on corruption in North-West Province.
By Dr Rachel Makhari-Sekhaolelo,
Acting Director of Public Prosecutions, North West Division
The Kimberley Regional Court has sentenced the suspended police Sergeant Wayne Mbayeka (45), to life imprisonment for two counts of rape. The court also declared the accused unfit to possess a firearm. On the day of the incident, the accused was off-duty and was approached by the 43-year-old victim, who asked for a lift as the accused was a well-known and respected member of the police within the communities of Kimberley.
Ten men appeared at the Johannesburg Magistrates' Court earlier today, facing multiple charges ranging from conspiracy to commit robbery with aggravating circumstances, eight counts of murder, ten counts of possession of hijacked vehicles, attempted murder, possession of explosives, nine counts of possession of prohibited firearms and ammunition.
North West: The Stilfontein Regional Court sentenced David Khoza(43), to life imprisonment for brutally murdering his niece and her 12-year-old daughter at Tigane, near Hartebeesfontein on 29 May 2012. Police reports reveal that Khoza broke into the house where the two were staying and slit their throats before fleeing the scene. A swift response by the police led them to his house where clothing items with bloodstains were discovered and sent for DNA sampling.
George Western Cape: The Western Cape High Court has convicted Revticken Patrick Muller, for the rape and murder of Bianca Chantel Matroos on 15 November 2019, after a night out at a nightclub in George. The case has been postponed to Wednesday 23 February 2022, for arguments in aggravation and mitigation of sentence. The accused will remain in custody.
The Vryburg Magistrates’ Court postponed the case against Sibongile Dude(35), to 16 March 2022, for trial. He is out on R500 bail after he was caught smashing windows at the Vryburg Magistrates’ Court. He is charged with malicious damage to property. Investigations into the matter have been concluded, the state and the defence attorney have also indicated their readiness to proceed with a trial.
The High Court of South Africa: Western Cape Division sitting at the Worcester Magistrates' Court, sentenced killer Siyamcela Sobambela, to an effective 25 years imprisonment following his conviction for the murder of three women. Sobambela killed Miche Pienaar, Gizella Minnaar and Bernadine Frans in a space of two months. The court sentenced him to 15 years imprisonment for each murder.
The Pretoria Special Commercial Crimes Court sentenced former Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) students Emmanuel Ramalata(30), Mpho Lesiba Kekana(35) and Nematshema Thanzielo(30) to 6 years direct imprisonment each for corruption. At the time of the incident in 2016, only Ramalata and Thanzielo were registered students, while Kekana could not register due to outstanding fees.