Ten men appeared at the Johannesburg Magistrates' Court earlier today, facing multiple charges ranging from conspiracy to commit robbery with aggravating circumstances, eight counts of murder, ten counts of possession of hijacked vehicles, attempted murder, possession of explosives, nine counts of possession of prohibited firearms and ammunition.
North West: The Stilfontein Regional Court sentenced David Khoza(43), to life imprisonment for brutally murdering his niece and her 12-year-old daughter at Tigane, near Hartebeesfontein on 29 May 2012. Police reports reveal that Khoza broke into the house where the two were staying and slit their throats before fleeing the scene. A swift response by the police led them to his house where clothing items with bloodstains were discovered and sent for DNA sampling.
George Western Cape: The Western Cape High Court has convicted Revticken Patrick Muller, for the rape and murder of Bianca Chantel Matroos on 15 November 2019, after a night out at a nightclub in George. The case has been postponed to Wednesday 23 February 2022, for arguments in aggravation and mitigation of sentence. The accused will remain in custody.
The Vryburg Magistrates’ Court postponed the case against Sibongile Dude(35), to 16 March 2022, for trial. He is out on R500 bail after he was caught smashing windows at the Vryburg Magistrates’ Court. He is charged with malicious damage to property. Investigations into the matter have been concluded, the state and the defence attorney have also indicated their readiness to proceed with a trial.
The High Court of South Africa: Western Cape Division sitting at the Worcester Magistrates' Court, sentenced killer Siyamcela Sobambela, to an effective 25 years imprisonment following his conviction for the murder of three women. Sobambela killed Miche Pienaar, Gizella Minnaar and Bernadine Frans in a space of two months. The court sentenced him to 15 years imprisonment for each murder.
The Pretoria Special Commercial Crimes Court sentenced former Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) students Emmanuel Ramalata(30), Mpho Lesiba Kekana(35) and Nematshema Thanzielo(30) to 6 years direct imprisonment each for corruption. At the time of the incident in 2016, only Ramalata and Thanzielo were registered students, while Kekana could not register due to outstanding fees.
The Pretoria Special Commercial Crimes Court sentenced former Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) students Emmanuel Ramalata(30), Mpho Lesiba Kekana(35) and Nematshema Thanzielo(30) to 6 years direct imprisonment each for corruption. At the time of the incident in 2016, only Ramalata and Thanzielo were registered students, while Kekana could not register due to outstanding fees.
The Itsoseng Regional Court denied bail to four men accused of killing two police officers in Mareetsane. Their matter was adjourned to 01 April 2022, for further investigations. The state will be applying for the Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, for the case to be transferred to the high court, owing to its serious nature. A 16-year-old minor who is also a suspect, was granted bail of R1000 bail in October 2021 and the state did not oppose it, and he was left under the care of a guardian.