27 OCTOBER 2025
CAT MATLALA DENIED BAIL BY THE HIGH COURT
Vusimuzi Cat Matlala's bail appeal was dismissed by the High Court of South Africa, Gauteng Division in Johannesburg. The dismissal comes after Matlala was denied bail at the Alexandra Magistrates' Court and appealed the decision in the High Court.
27 October 2025
THREE LIFE TERMS FOR RAPIST UNCLE
Elukwatini, Mpumalanga – The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the sentence of three life terms handed down by the eLukwatini Magistrates’ Court to a 24-year-old Swati national for raping his 15-year-old cousin on multiple occasions. The accused, who resided in the Kingdom of eSwatini, visited the victim at Nhlazatshe No. 6 in the Gert Sibande district between November 2022 and March 2023, where she lived with family members.
27 October 2025
SEVEN LIFE TERMS FOR SEVEN COUNTS OF RAPE
Limpopo, South Africa – The Nkowa-Nkowa Regional Court has convicted and sentenced a 20-year-old man to seven life terms of imprisonment for seven counts of rape, plus an additional 15 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances. The sentencing was delivered today, 27 October 2025. The court ordered the sentences to run concurrently, resulting in an effective life sentence, and declared the accused unfit to possess a firearm under Section 103 of the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000.
27 October 2025
CRADOCK FOUR INQUEST ADJOURNED TO 23 MARCH 2026
Proceedings in the inquest into the 1985 deaths of the Cradock Four – anti-apartheid activists Matthew Goniwe, Fort Calata, Sicelo Mhlauli, and Sparrow Mkonto – continued before the Eastern Cape High Court in Gqeberha from 13 to 24 October 2025.
24 OCTOBER 2025
LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR ATTEMPTED MURDER OF POLICE OFFICER
The Esikhawini Regional Court sentenced Thulani Mcabangeli Ngema (41) to life imprisonment for the attempted murder of a police officer on duty, and three years imprisonment for resisting arrest. The incident took place on 26 March 2024 in Mtunzini, and the complainants are two South African Police Service (SAPS) officers, namely Sgt. Xolani Mdletshe and Sgt. Thando Langa.
23 October 2025
MAHIKENG WOMAN FINED FOR THEFT
Mmabatho, North West – The Specialised Commercial Crimes Court sitting in Mmabatho has sentenced Tsakani Rhulani Hlongwane (37) to a R10 000 fine or 12 months’ imprisonment, wholly suspended for three years on condition that she is not convicted of theft during the period of suspension.
23 October 2025
MOZAMBICAN NATIONAL SENTENCED TO 25 YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT FOR VIOLENT CRIMES
Vryburg, North West – The Vryburg Regional Court has sentenced Osvaldo Julia Cumbane (32), a Mozambican national, to an effective 25 years’ imprisonment following his conviction on multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit an offence, murder, attempted murder, two counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances, kidnapping, two counts of pointing a firearm, and possession of ammunition.