CONSTITUTIONAL COURT OF APPEALS DISMISSES APPEALS OF THE NULANE ACCUSED 

30 JANUARY 2026 

CONSTITUTIONAL COURT OF APPEALS DISMISSES APPEALS OF THE NULANE ACCUSED 

The Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcome the judgment handed down today , 30 January 2026, by the Constitutional Court of Appeal, which ruled in favour of the state and dismissed the appeals brought by the accused in the Nulane matter. 

The court’s decision affirms the state’s position and allows the prosecution to proceed once we re-enroll the matter as we make tireless efforts to do so. 

REGIONAL COURT SENTENCES MAN TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPE 

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. 

CAT MATLALA AND CO-ACCUSED APPEAR IN THE HIGH COURT 

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. 

15 YEARS DIRECT IMRISONMENT FOR FORMER POLICE OFFICER 

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. 

STEPFATHER SENTENCED TO THREE LIFE TERMS FOR REPEATED RAPE OF STEPDAUGHTER 

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. 

LIFE AND FIVE YEARS IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPE AND KIDNAPPING 

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. 

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