Tag Archives: Four accused

Four accused in court for drug-related case

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Picture: Drugs confiscated by the Hawks/Supplied

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

30 March 2026 – Four accused, Emmanuel Onyia (44), Paul Ezeama (52), Patricia Pillay (31) and Zanele Namo (32) briefly appeared in the Benoni Magistrate’s Court on 30 March 2026, facing multiple drug-related and money laundering charges. The accused were arrested in Gauteng, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal provinces by members of the North West Hawks and Pretoria-based Hawks’ Tactical Operations Management Section (TOMS).

The Hawks spokesperson in North West, Lieutenant Colonel Tinyiko Mathebula said their arrest emanates from a lengthy investigation conducted by members of the Serious Organised Crime Investigation about a syndicate involved in drug trafficking and money laundering in the North West, Gauteng, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal provinces.

Mathebula said an extensive investigation culminated in a takedown operation, which was conducted between 27 and 29 March 2026, across three provinces.

“The operation started in Springs and Benoni in Gauteng, where Emmanuel Onyia, an alleged kingpin, was arrested along with his accomplice, Paul Ezeama. A search and seizure operation were conducted at Onyia’s property, where suspected cocaine, CAT, full moon tablets, phenacetin, pots and electronic scales were seized.

“Recovered drugs and chemicals are estimated at R200 000. Pillay and Namo were arrested on Saturday and Sunday in Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal, respectively. They were charged with money laundering after a financial investigation conducted by the Hawks’ Priority Crime Specialised Investigation linked them to Onyia,” he said.

Mathebula further said the accused were remanded in custody and will reappear in the same court on 13 April 2026, for bail application.

Major General Nombuso Khoza, the Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation in the North West, applauded the team for working diligently to ensure that the accused are brought to justice.

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Four men sentenced to 60 years in gang-related murders

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Picture: Four men sentenced to 60 years imprisonment for gang-related murder/Generic

By REGINALD KANYANE

14 May 2025- Four accused, Mbulelo Suswana (34), Sindile Olifant (25), Matjaleng Mbipha (27), and Tebogo Moshane (23), were each sentenced on two counts of murder and one of arson committed in Jouberton Township, near Klerksdorp on 30 August 2022. This comes after the police were summoned to Extension 24, where a house was set alight and two men were stabbed to death.

The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said upon arrival, the police found the body of Xolile Nxamakele (28), with multiple stab wounds on his body. Mokgwabone said furthermore, Nkululeko Paraffin’s body (25), also with multiple stab wounds, was found not far from the initial crime scene.

“The preliminary investigations led to the apprehension of Mbulelo Suswana and Sindile Olifant shortly after the incident. The matter was handed to the Provincial Anti-Gang Unit for investigation and that culminated in the arrest of two more suspects, Tebogo Moshane and Matjaleng Mbipha at Extension 22 in Jouberton Township.

“It also transpired that the incident was linked to gang rivalry,” he said.

Mokgwabone further said all accused have been in custody since their arrests. He added that Suswana, Olifant, Mbipha and Moshane were sentenced to double life imprisonment for murders and 15 years for arson each.

“The accused were all declared unfit to possess firearms in terms of section 103 of the Firearms Control Act, 60 of 2000,” said Mokgwabone.

Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng, thanked the Investigating Officer, D/Sgt Buti Matlhoko, the prosecutor, Chris Kok and all other role players for their tireless efforts that ensured the convictions. Asaneng said that the sentence meted out to these four accused should send a strong message and stern warning to other gangsters in Jouberton and the entire Dr Kenneth Kaunda District that their time to face the full wrath of the criminal justice system is near.

“For many years the social fabric and peaceful co-existence of the communities of Jouberton, Kanana, Khuma and Tigane have been torn apart by marauding gangs of mostly teenagers committing the most barbaric and horrendous crimes.

“It is precisely the reason why the Provincial Anti-Gang Unit was established in 2020/2021, and it is hoped that the heavy sentences meted out to these four young men, who are supposed to be at the prime of their lives will serve as a deterrence to other gangsters to mend their lives of crime which has brought hardships and pain to their families, friends and the communities they live with,” he said. 

Asaneng said while these former mining townships are on the periphery of affluence, but ravaged by the scourge of substance abuse, poverty and unemployment, there is absolutely no justifiable reason for the existence of the internecine marauding gangs, especially when one takes into consideration the many inspirational role models that have come from these places especially in the sports and music spheres.

“Hopefully, this tragedy will galvanise the people of Jouberton and Dr Kenneth Kaunda District, civil society, Faith Based Organisations and government on a new path of moral regeneration and Botho/Ubuntu,” he concluded.

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