The Ga-Rankuwa Magistrates’ Court postponed a case against four suspects, charged with the murder of Sam Mbatha to 17 May 2022, for further investigations and the Director of Public Prosecution’s (DPP) decision. Arthur Khoza (19), Thato Masetla (22), Junior Modise (21) and Mahlatsi Nkuna (21), were all arrested following an intensive investigation by the police. Meanwhile, Junior Modise is still at large and a warrant for his arrest was issued and his bail revoked.

The Vryburg Magistrates’ Court postponed the case against 6 men accused of murder, to 11 April 2022, for further hearing. The state opted not to oppose bail as all accused addresses were verified, they are also considered not to be flight risks. Five of the accused are first time offenders and considered Schedule 5 offenders, while one has a pending case of assault and is considered a Schedule 6 offender. It has also been established that five of the offenders are still attending school.

Rabin Balmint (62) from Newlands West, was sentenced to an effective seven years imprisonment, in the Durban Magistrates’ Court after he pleaded guilty to four counts of fraud and one count of VAT fraud (Value Added Tax) against the South African Revenue Service (SARS). The offences amounted to approximately R11.7 million. For the tax year 2013, Balmint submitted fictitious tax returns via e-filing for his company Kiddo Trans CC.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the sentence of Tshitso Mothesele (36), from Khutsong to 8 life terms and 195 years of direct imprisonment for rape, 8 counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances and kidnapping, handed down by the High Court of South Africa, Gauteng Division, Pretoria.  The judge said that his name should be added to the national register for sexual offenders and is declared unfit to possess a firearm.

The case of fraud and theft against Kgotso Khumalo(52), the former Executive Mayor of JB Marks Local Municipality and two of his co-accused was before the Ventersdorp Regional Court for trial today. The matter had to be postponed to 04 May 2022 due to the ill health of Khumalo’s attorney, and one of his co-accused requested time to source the services of a new legal representative.

The case of fraud and theft against Kgotso Khumalo(52), the former Executive Mayor of JB Marks Local Municipality and two of his co-accused was before the Ventersdorp Regional Court for trial today. The matter had to be postponed to 04 May 2022 due to the ill health of Khumalo’s attorney, and one of his co-accused requested time to source the services of a new legal representative.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the sentence of one life term, handed down by the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court to a homeless man, Nkosinathi Seepe (37),for rape, 15 years for robbery and 3 years for assault. The Magistrate ordered that the sentences run concurrently. 

Philani Gumede appeared in the Durban Magistrates’ Court today, on a charge of incitement to commit public violence and contravention of Section 14 of the Cyber Crimes Act, by publishing harmful data messages. It is alleged that Gumede created and forwarded a voice note to members of Operation Dulula, asking people to gather and remove foreign Nationals and their goods and lock up the shops.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the sentence of two life terms each, handed down by the Atteridgeville Regional Court to Getwin Moloto (30) and Lebohang Makola (35) from Saulsville in Atteridgeville for rape.  This is after the two were convicted of raping a 19-year-old lesbian.  On the evening of 16 December 2020, the victim was trying to open a gate at her house, coming from accompanying her partner.

The Vryburg Magistrates’ Court postponed the case against 6 men accused of murder, to 07 April 2022, for formal bail application. The state will oppose their application. Keaobaka Motswamere (26), Tlotlo Serapelwane(22), Ntafetso Velele(21), Mosimanegape Segotlong(26), Obakeng Matiting(23) and Thabiso Seane(22) are all charged with the murder of Luckyboy Mereekae(30). They have sourced the services of Legal Aid South Africa as well as private attorneys to represent them.