Daily Archives: April 2, 2026

Three farmers sentenced to life imprisonment each for killing a farm dweller

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Picture: Three farmers, Jaco Wessels Kemp, Louise Coetzee, and Gert Frederik van der Westhuizen/Supplied 

By REGINALD KANYANE

2 April 2026 – Three farmers were sentenced to life imprisonment each by the Gauteng High Court sitting in Pretoria for the premeditated murder of Dumisani Phakathi, a farm dweller. On 16 September 2023, three farmers, Jaco Wessels Kemp (36), Louise Coetzee (29), and Gert Frederik van der Westhuizen (38) were having a braai at the chicken farm in Mamokgalieskraal.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in Gauteng, Lumka Mahanjana said at approximately 4pm, they saw Phakathi walking past the farm gate on his way to collect water from a nearby furrow, which community members commonly used as a water source. Mahanjana said the three approached him and assaulted him.

“They then dragged him into a storage facility inside the chicken farm, where the assault continued until he succumbed to his injuries. In the early hours of 17 September 2023, at approximately 2am, Kemp and Coetzee were stopped by police during a stop-and-search operation on the R511 towards Brits, while driving a bakkie.

“The vehicle was loaded with black refuse bags. During the search, police noticed human legs protruding from underneath the bags. Upon further inspection, they discovered the bloodied body of the deceased, with his head covered in plastic,” she said.

Mahananjana further said Kemp and Coetzee were immediately arrested at the scene. She added that Van der Westhuizen handed himself over to the police on 19 September 2023, after investigations linked him to the offence.

“In court, all three accused pleaded not guilty to the charges and shifted blame onto one another. However, the state prosecutor, advocate Lawrence More, presented compelling evidence through state witnesses, proving the state’s case beyond a reasonable doubt.

“In mitigation of sentence, the accused requested the court to deviate from imposing the prescribed minimum sentence because of the time they had already spent in custody since their arrest and that they have children to take care of,” said Mahanjana.

She said, however, More argued for life imprisonment because the trio killed the decease for no reason. Mahanjana said the deceased was killed in an inhumane and cruel manner, his body placed in rubbish bags in an attempt to throw it in a dumping site. 

“More also read into the record the Victim Impact Statements, facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Lebogang Lebese, where the sister of the deceased expresses that she no longer trusts white people because of the incident.

“In delivering the sentence, the judge agreed with the state that the three showed no remorse for the offence, they killed a man for no apparent reason.  Therefore, the only conclusion he can derive from the killing is that it was racially motivated,” she said.

Mahanjana said the court further declared all three accused unfit to possess firearms and ordered them to surrender all firearms, ammunition, licences, authorisations, and permits to the investigating officer. She said the NPA welcomes the sentence and reiterates its commitment to ensuring accountability for violent crimes, particularly those committed against vulnerable members of society.

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A policeman jailed for 12 years for stealing cattle

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Picture: A policeman nabbed for committing crime/Generic

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

2April 2026 – A constable police attached to the Cullinan Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit, Rhulani Herbert Maringa (44) was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment by the Bronkhorstspruit Magistrate’s Court. This follows his conviction for stock theft valued at R80 000.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in Gauteng, Lumka Mahanjana said Maringa was also declared unfit to possess a firearm. Mahanjana said on 17 April 2019, two accused persons who have since turned state witnesses stole cattle from Zonderwater Correctional Services in Cullinan at the instruction of Maringa.

“The matter came to light after police received a tip-off from a farmer to whom the stolen cattle had been sold. When the two individuals returned to the farm to collect payment, they were arrested.

“Upon their arrest, the two accused cooperated with the police and told the police that Maringa was involved in the planning of the offence and escorted them to the Goudveld Farm, where there is an abattoir and butchery,” she said.

Mahanjana further said during the trial, Maringa pleaded not guilty and denied involvement. She added that, however, the state prosecutor, Advocate Patsy Jacobs, presented compelling evidence that proved the state’s case beyond a reasonable doubt.

“In mitigation of sentence, Maringa through his legal representative asked for leniency on the basis that there was no financial loss ultimately suffered as the cattle were recovered and returned to the Department of Correctional Services.

“Jacobs opposed this, arguing that Maringa, as a police officer assigned to a stock theft unit, had a heightened duty to prevent such crimes and had instead abused his position,” said Mahanjana.

She said Jacobs urged the court to impose the prescribed minimum sentence.

Mahanjana said in handing down the sentence, the Regional Court Magistrate agreed with the state, emphasising that police officers are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity and that the courts have a responsibility to protect the property rights of citizens. She said the NPA welcomes the sentence and commends the prompt and effective response by the police in this highly organised and premeditated offence involving a police official.

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Two suspects nabbed for allegedly stealing cattle

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Picture: The suspected stolen cattle confiscated by the police/Supplied

By BAKANG MOKOTO

2 April 2026 – Two suspects aged 36 and 41 were arrested after the members of the Kuruman Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit recovered three Bonsmara cattle valued at more than R40 000 on 1 April 2026. The suspects were arrested while attempting to sell the cattle at a feedlot, which is a feed yard where primarily beef cattle are taken to be forced fed for market before being slaughtered in Kuruman.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Thabo Litabe said the police were alerted to the incident and swiftly followed up on the information. Litabe said upon arrival at the feedlot, members identified brand markings on the cattle and circulated the details on the SAPS system.

“Further investigation led the police members to Camden village, near Kuruman, where it was established that the cattle had been stolen from a cattle post. The rightful owner was notified and a case of stock theft was registered at Kuruman Police Station.

“The recovered cattle were returned to the lawful owner. A white one-ton bakkie and a trailer that were used in the commission of the crime, were confiscated and booked into the SAPS 13 store as evidence,” he said.

Meanwhile, the acting John Taolo Gaetsewe District Police Commissioner, Brigadier Kenneth Baloyi, commended the members of the Kuruman Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit for their swift response and dedication and encouraged them to continue their diligent efforts in combating stock theft. Baloyi said the police remain resolute in clamping down on stock theft incidents throughout the province.

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Two Lesotho nationals sentenced to life imprisonment for murder

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Picture: A woman killed at a Supermarket/Generic

By STAFF REPORTER

2 April 2026 – Two assassins were sentenced to imprisonment for a murder and robbery incident that occurred in Kanana Township, near Orkney back in 2021. The tragic incident began when three unknown suspects went into a nearby supermarket on Monday evening, 22 November 2021 and pointed people with firearms.

The North West police spokesperson, Constable Thuto Bobelo said the suspects shot and killed a woman (34) before fleeing with items from the supermarket and the handbag of the victim. Bobelo said the victim was transported to Klerksdorp Hospital and was declared dead upon arrival.

“The police opened and registered a murder and robbery case docket. The matter was handed over to the Provincial Anti-Gang Investigation Unit and extensive investigations were conducted with positive results.

“The investigative expertise of the team successfully located the whereabouts of the suspects and identified them as hired Basotho assassins. An operation between Provincial Anti-Gang Investigation Unit and Flying Squad commenced and led to the arrest of two men on 27 January 2023,” he said.

He further said during the arrest, the suspects were found in possession of four shotguns, one revolver, two explosive tubes, one detonator, 105 ammunition for R5 rifle, 29 revolver ammunition and 20 ammunition for AK-47 rifle. Bobelo added that on 30 March 2026, two men aged between 34 and 35 were sentenced by the Klerksdorp Regional Court.

“The accused, Bokang Samson Sakhele (35) was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder, 15 years imprisonment for robbery, 15 years imprisonment for possession of explosives, 15 years imprisonment for possession of firearms, seven years imprisonment for possession of ammunition and two years imprisonment for Contravention of Immigration Act.

“Another accused, Taeta John Ramaema (34) was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for possession of explosives, 15 years imprisonment for possession of firearms, seven years imprisonment for possession of ammunition and two years imprisonment for Contravention of Immigration Act,” he said.

Bobelo said in addition, the two men were declared unfit to possess firearms. He said the sentences of Sakhele will run concurrently with count 1.

“On the other hand, the sentences of Ramaema will run concurrently with count 3,” he said.

Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo praised the investigating officers Warrant Officer Buti Matlhoko and Warrant Officer Aupanyana Elias Lebitso for emerging victorious through the complex investigation and thanked the team for bringing the perpetrators to justice. Naidoo further reaffirmed that the police will stop at nothing to attain safer communities and continue to protect its inhabitants.

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