The Ga-Rankuwa Magistrates’ Court postponed a case against four suspects charged with the murder of Sam Mbatha (24) to 02 February 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.

A couple appeared before the Klerksdorp Magistrates’ Court on a charge of murder and five of contravening the Children’s Act, following the death of their four-month-old baby who allegedly died of complications of malnutrition. Their case was postponed to 11 March 2022 for a high court date.

Advocate Riekie Kraus registered the state’s intention to transfer the matter to the High Court of South Africa; the North West Division. The state is expected to serve the accused with an indictment and a bail court date will be decided following that process.

The Klerksdorp Magistrates’ Court postponed the murder case against Mokete Legodi (47) to 24 January 2022 for a high court date to be finalised. The Acting Director of Public Prosecutions (ADPP) has authorized for the matter to be transferred to the High Court of South Africa: North West Division. The state is also expected to serve the accused with an indictment in preparation for trial.

The Vryburg Magistrates’ Court postponed a case against Sibongile Dube(35) to 19 January 2022 for a guilty plea. His court appearance originates from his arrest on 09 January 2022, when he was caught smashing the Vryburg Magistrates’ Court windows. He is charged with malicious damage to property. 

The Coligny Magistrates’ Court postponed a case against Klaas Kgasi to 24 January 2022 for bail judgement. He appeared in court for the alleged murder of his 10-month-old baby boy. The state fiercely opposed the bail application as it constitutes a Schedule 5 offence due to its serious nature, as well as the public outcry it created. 

A group of 27 accused persons including their companies appeared in Polokwane Specialised Commercial Crimes Court for 104 charges of corruption, 3 of money laundering and 3 of conspiracy to commit corruption which relates to tender irregularities in the Mogalakwena Local Municipality in Limpopo.

The High Court of South Africa: Limpopo High Court postponed the trial involving Thabo Stanley Leshabane(57). It is alleged that the accused hired a hitman to kill his 46-year-old wife Makoena Mabusela – Leshabane, who was shot dead together with her friend Tebogo Mphuti (35), after viewing a business property in Polokwane on 10 October 2020.

The High Court of South Africa North West Division, sitting in the Temba Regional Court sentenced Johannes Nokeri to five life terms, a combined 191 years on 18 counts of rape, 23 counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances, theft of a motor vehicle and unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition. 

Earlier this month the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture, Corruption and Fraud in the Public Sector including Organs of State, better known as the Zondo Commission or State Capture Commission released its first of three reports.

The Mogwase Magistrates’ Court postponed the case against Oupa Nkele(41) to 17 January 2022 for the Legal Aid consultation and a possible bail application. Nkele’s Legal Aid attorney requested the court for a postponement to conduct proper consultation with him, and the state did not oppose this request. He is charged with attempted murder and rape.