ASSET FORFEITURE UNIT SECURES RESTRAINING ORDER OF OVER R26 MILLION IN COVID-19 TERS FRAUD MATTER 

16 February 2026 

ASSET FORFEITURE UNIT SECURES RESTRAINING ORDER OF OVER R26 MILLION IN COVID-19 TERS FRAUD MATTER 

The National Prosecuting Authority’s Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) in Mpumalanga has successfully obtained a restraint order exceeding R26 million against assets belonging to suspects allegedly implicated in fraud related to the COVID-19 Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme (TERS). The order was granted in terms of Section 26 of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act 121 of 1998 by the Mpumalanga Division of the High Court. 

MAN SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR THE BRUTAL MURDER OF HIS GIRLFRIEND 

6 February 2026 

MAN SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR THE BRUTAL MURDER OF HIS GIRLFRIEND 

Emalahleni, Mpumalanga – The Emalahleni Regional Court has convicted and sentenced 44-year-old Dingane Solomon Dlamini to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of his girlfriend, Mamokete Lucia Lechela. The accused and the deceased were in a domestic relationship and lived together in Ogies. Before the fatal incident, the couple had reportedly been involved in a heated argument during which Dlamini assaulted the deceased with open hands and threatened to kill her with poison. 

7 x LIFE AND 155 YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT FOR SERIAL RAPIST AND ROBBER 

16 FEBRUARY 2026 

7 x LIFE AND 155 YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT FOR SERIAL RAPIST AND ROBBER 

The High Court of South Africa, sitting at Mtunzini, has sentenced Muzikhona Khehla Khumbulani Mthethwa (33) to seven terms of life imprisonment and an additional 155 years’ imprisonment after he pleaded guilty under Section 112 of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977 to multiple serious offences. 

SPANISH NATIONAL FORFEITS HALF A MILLION RANDS 

13 FEBRUARY 2026 

SPANISH NATIONAL FORFEITS HALF A MILLION RANDS 

Cape Town, South Africa; The Asset Forfeiture Unit of the National Prosecuting Authority in the Western Cape has obtained a forfeiture order of R500 000 after the Vredendal Regional Court convicted David Navarro Roman for illegal possession of Armadillo Girdled Lizards and a Speckled Pardloper Tortoise. Navarro’s conviction follows his arrest for possession of fauna without documentation, importing and transportation of wild animals without a permit and money laundering. 

ODENDAALSRUS REGIONAL COURT IMPOSES DOUBLE LIFE SENTENCES ON SERIAL RAPIST 

13 February 2026 

ODENDAALSRUS REGIONAL COURT IMPOSES DOUBLE LIFE SENTENCES ON SERIAL RAPIST 

Odendaalsrus, Free State – The Odendaalsrus Regional Court has sentenced Jabulani Stenly Mahlanyane (42) from Kutloanong to two terms of life imprisonment following his conviction on two counts of rape. 

LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR CONVICTED RAPIST IN KIMBERLEY 

13 February 2026 

LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR CONVICTED RAPIST IN KIMBERLEY 

Kimberley, Northern Cape - The Kimberley Regional Court has sentenced Ernest Beukus (50), who was 43 at the time of the offence, to life imprisonment for raping a vulnerable 15-year-old girl. He has also been declared unfit to possess a firearm under the Firearms Control Act. 

Connect with Us