The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the sentencing of Sbusiso Khumalo (39) and Sihle Bright Mnguni (42) to an effective 25 years’ direct imprisonment by the Scottburgh Regional Court, following their conviction on two counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances. On 09 September 2023, Khumalo and Mnguni robbed a spice shop in the Umzinto area on two separate occasions.
Bloemfontein, Free State – The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) commends the prosecution team and investigators from the South African Police Service for securing a substantial custodial sentence in a case involving essential infrastructure theft. Braam Bothma (21) was sentenced to 20 years’ direct imprisonment by the Bloemfontein Regional Court following multiple convictions related to the theft and damage of essential infrastructure in the Noordhoek area.
Kuruman, Northern Cape – The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has welcomed the sentencing of two brothers in the Kuruman Regional Court for serious sexual offences. On 16 April 2026, the court sentenced Omphile Thamage (29) and Keolopile Thamage (29), both from Bankhara, to life imprisonment each for rape. Omphile Thamage was additionally sentenced to 8 years’ imprisonment for attempted rape.
The Pretoria Magistrates’ Court postponed the case against Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala to 13 May 2026 for the finalisation of consultations and for him to give instructions to his attorney.
The court granted the state its request to have Matlala detained at Kgosi Mampuru until consultations are completed.
Matlala would be joined by 15 others who are facing charges of corruption, fraud and the Contravention of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA).
Upington, Northern Cape – The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the sentence imposed on John Ivan Francious Mouton (50), a resident of Upington, who was convicted by the High Court in Upington on two counts of murder and four counts of attempted murder following a tragic and senseless incident arising from a road collision.
Suspended Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) Deputy Chief, Julius Mkhwanazi, and his co-accused, Ekurhuleni Municipal Manager Kagiso Lerutla, made their first appearance before the Boksburg Magistrates’ Court on charges of corruption, fraud and defeating the ends of justice.
Mkhwanazi was arrested in his home on 18 April 2026 while his co-accused was arrested on 19 April 2026 at the OR Tambo International Airport on his way from Cape Town.
The National Prosecuting Authority has once again secured a strong prison sentence as it continues its unabated fight against the scourge of gender-based violence after the Worcester Regional Court sentenced rapist, Gerald Joseph, to an effective life imprisonment. The court convicted Joseph on three counts of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, kidnapping and rape.
On 26 February 2026, the Gauteng Division of the High Court, Johannesburg granted the National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) a provisional restraint order in terms of section 26 of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act 121 of 1998 (POCA), following the arrest on 27 January 2026 of suspects linked to a global syndicate that allegedly operated bogus call centre agencies in Bryanston, Johannesburg.
The NPA welcomes the sentence of five years' direct imprisonment that the prosecution secured against the member of parliament and Economic Freedom Fighters leader, Julius Malema, in the KuGompo Regional Court. Even though the state called for the maximum sentence of 15 years imprisonment, the NPA believes that the sentence will have the desired effect of deterrence against would-be offenders in firearm-related offences, which are prevalent in the country.