29 JANUARY 2026 

REGIONAL COURT SENTENCES MAN TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPE 

Reitz, Free State – The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the conviction and sentencing of Thoriso Mokoena (38), who was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Reitz Regional Court for the rape of a 22-year-old woman. Mokoena was convicted on one count of rape after the State presented compelling and consistent evidence that proved his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. 

29 January 2026 

MAN SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR THE MURDER OF HIS GIRLFRIEND 

29 January 2026

CAT MATLALA AND CO-ACCUSED APPEAR IN THE HIGH COURT 

The pre-trial conference for Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala commenced before the High Court of South Africa, Gauteng Division, in Johannesburg. Matlala made his first High Court appearance alongside his co-accused, Musa Kekana, Tiego Floyd Mabusela, Zandile Nthabiseng Nzama, and his wife, Tsakane Matlala. 

28 January 2026

15 YEARS DIRECT IMRISONMENT FOR FORMER POLICE OFFICER 

The Mtubatuba Regional Court has sentenced Vusumuzi Jetro Thabethe (45) to 15 years direct imprisonment for the murder of a man outside a tavern in Ingwavuma, in northern KwaZulu-Natal. Thabethe was a Sergeant in the South African Police Service (SAPS) at the time of the offence. 

28 January 2026

STEPFATHER SENTENCED TO THREE LIFE TERMS FOR REPEATED RAPE OF STEPDAUGHTER 

Mogwase, North West – The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the imposition of three life imprisonment terms by the Mogwase Regional Court on Thami Joseph Nomadolo (41) for raping his stepdaughter on three separate occasions. His name will be added to the National Register for Sex Offenders. 

27 JANUARY 2026

LIFE AND FIVE YEARS IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPE AND KIDNAPPING 

The Madadeni Regional Court has sentenced Siyabonga Christopher Xulu (34) to life and five years imprisonment for the kidnapping and rape of a woman in the Osizweni area near Newcastle in June 2019. Prior to the incident, the complainant had gone to attend a party at a neighbouring homestead. She left the party in the early hours of the morning of the incident and met Xulu and two other men, on her way home. 

26 JANUARY 2026

TRIAL DATES SET FOR ALLEGED INSTIGATORS OF JULY 2021 PUBLIC VIOLENCE

The case against the 62 alleged instigators charged in connection with the unrest and public violence that occurred in July 2021, in various parts of KwaZulu-Natal, returned to the Durban High Court today.

26 January 2026

DJ WARRAS’ ALLEGED KILLER DENIED BAIL

The Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court has denied bail to Victor Mthethwa Majola (44), who is facing charges of premeditated murder and conspiracy to commit murder. The charges relate to the fatal shooting of Warrick Stock, popularly known as DJ Warras, outside the Zambesi Building in Johannesburg’s Central Business District (CBD) on 16 December 2025.