The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the sentence of life imprisonment handed down by the Pretoria High Court to Matsobane Phineas Mashaba (28) from Hercules. Mashaba was convicted of the murder of his 19-year-old girlfriend, Shaunice Maralize Phite. The court further declared him unfit to possess a firearm.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the sentence of life and five years’ imprisonment handed down to a 28-year-old woman by the Madadeni Regional Court, after she pleaded guilty in terms of Section 112 of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977, to raping and displaying pornographic material to her brother who was eight years old when the offences began. The offences took place in the Osizweni area.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the sentencing of Sbusiso Khumalo (39) and Sihle Bright Mnguni (42) to an effective 25 years’ direct imprisonment by the Scottburgh Regional Court, following their conviction on two counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances. On 09 September 2023, Khumalo and Mnguni robbed a spice shop in the Umzinto area on two separate occasions.
Bloemfontein, Free State – The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) commends the prosecution team and investigators from the South African Police Service for securing a substantial custodial sentence in a case involving essential infrastructure theft. Braam Bothma (21) was sentenced to 20 years’ direct imprisonment by the Bloemfontein Regional Court following multiple convictions related to the theft and damage of essential infrastructure in the Noordhoek area.
Kuruman, Northern Cape – The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has welcomed the sentencing of two brothers in the Kuruman Regional Court for serious sexual offences. On 16 April 2026, the court sentenced Omphile Thamage (29) and Keolopile Thamage (29), both from Bankhara, to life imprisonment each for rape. Omphile Thamage was additionally sentenced to 8 years’ imprisonment for attempted rape.
The Pretoria Magistrates’ Court postponed the case against Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala to 13 May 2026 for the finalisation of consultations and for him to give instructions to his attorney.
The court granted the state its request to have Matlala detained at Kgosi Mampuru until consultations are completed.
Matlala would be joined by 15 others who are facing charges of corruption, fraud and the Contravention of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA).
Upington, Northern Cape – The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the sentence imposed on John Ivan Francious Mouton (50), a resident of Upington, who was convicted by the High Court in Upington on two counts of murder and four counts of attempted murder following a tragic and senseless incident arising from a road collision.
Suspended Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) Deputy Chief, Julius Mkhwanazi, and his co-accused, Ekurhuleni Municipal Manager Kagiso Lerutla, made their first appearance before the Boksburg Magistrates’ Court on charges of corruption, fraud and defeating the ends of justice.
Mkhwanazi was arrested in his home on 18 April 2026 while his co-accused was arrested on 19 April 2026 at the OR Tambo International Airport on his way from Cape Town.
The National Prosecuting Authority has once again secured a strong prison sentence as it continues its unabated fight against the scourge of gender-based violence after the Worcester Regional Court sentenced rapist, Gerald Joseph, to an effective life imprisonment. The court convicted Joseph on three counts of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, kidnapping and rape.