BLOEMFONTEIN: The Thaba Nchu Magistrates’ Court has earlier today sentenced Omphile Sesing (19) to an effective 20 years imprisonment, after he pleaded guilty to rape and murder of a 69-year-old woman Mapule Masoa, in September 2020.  In his plea, Sesing stated that on 14 September 2020, he went to Masoa`s house and raped her. Masoa woke up to find Sesing busy raping her and tried to fight him off. The Accused took a knife and stabbed the victim twice in her neck and later died from her injuries.

The High Court of South Africa; North West Division sentenced Pontsho Mosinki (41) to three life- terms for raping a 70-year-old woman and two other women aged 19 and 20, in Ganyesa near Vryburg. He was charged on four counts of rape and four of housebreaking with intent to rape. The court sentenced him to three life terms on three counts of rape, ten years on another count of rape and five years on each count of housebreaking. Judge Andre Peterson ordered for the sentence to run concurrently.

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.