The Mpumalanga High Court has moved Sinovuyo Selale's case to 06 - 17 June 2022, for the trial and to secure a Xhosa language interpreter. During his appearance today, the state was ready to proceed with the trial however, the defense indicated that the accused insisted on having a Xhosa language interpreter. All parties involved agreed to postpone the matter, and all state witnesses were warned to be present in court on 06 June 2022, when the trial restarts.

BLOEMFONTEIN: The Welkom Magistrates’ Court has sentenced Sophia Maya (27) after she was convicted of unfair business practice and fraud. Maya pretended to be a traditional healer to Ernesto Mangoele (60) by asking him to bring all his money and she will make him rich in July 2020. Magistrate Botsile Lefenya sentenced Sophia to 15 years for unfair business practice, 10 years for fraud, four years for Contravention of the Immigration Act and 12 months for defeating the ends of justice.

The Pretoria North District Court denied bail to Sonwabo Malgas (38) from Mdatsane, Eastern Cape, while his co-accused Hapson Zukuyumo (35) originally from Zimbabwe abandoned his bail application. The pair is facing charges of possession of the stolen property and illegal mining. Zukuyumo further faces a charge of being illegal in the country.

Mhlonishwa Sokhulu (43) and Sbusiso Chocolo (29) appeared yesterday in the Newcastle Magistrates' Court in connection with the murder of the speaker for the Amajuba District, Reginald Ndima who was killed on 29 January 2022.  

The Ga-Rankuwa Magistrates’ Court postponed a case against four suspects charged with the murder of Sam Mbatha (24) to 08 April 2022 for the Director of Public Prosecution’s (DPP) decision. The state will await the DPP’s authorisation of transferring the case to the High Court of South Africa; North West Division, owing to the serious nature of the offence committed.

The Municipal Manager of Thulamela Local Municipality, Hlengani Emanuel Maluleke (52) and the former mayor of Thulamela, Avhashoni Stephen  Tshifhango (49) appeared in  Thohoyandou Magistrates' Court. The two were arrested on allegations of corruption and maladministration in connection with the looting of the Venda Building Society (VBS) Mutual Bank.

The case fraud against Matshidiso Cordelia Mogale (48),  who at the time of the commissioning of these offences was the Municipal Manager of Phokwane Local Municipality has been deferred by the Hartswater Regional Court.

The Mogwase Regional Court postponed the case against Oupa Nkele(41) to 02 March 2022 for Legal Aid representation and further investigations. He is charged with rape and attempted murder. Following the case being transferred to the regional court, Nkele applied for a new Legal Aid representation and an attorney will be appointed for him before the next court appearance. He is currently out on R1000 bail and he was warned to avail himself in all court appearances until the matter is concluded.

Daniel Smit appeared at the Klawer Magistrates' Court this morning, in connection with the murder of Jerobejin van Wyk (13).  He is charged with murder, kidnapping, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and defeating the ends of justice.  

The case has been postponed until 26 April 2022, for further investigation. The defense has indicated that the accused does not intend to apply for bail, however, the  State will oppose the bail application in case the accused changes his mind.

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The Qumbu Regional Court sentenced Katiso Mpita (31) to life imprisonment for raping his late father’s 51-year-old former girlfriend. The court convicted and sentenced the rapist to life imprisonment for the rape and 12 months for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. An order was made for the sentences to run concurrently.