3 March 2025- A man (33), briefly appeared in Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court on charges of fraud. In May 2022, the accused, Minhaz Ahmed Patel allegedly went to a car dealership in Klerksdorp to apply for financing of a BMW 4 series M4 Coupe valued at R1.4 million.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Sivenathi Gunya, Patel allegedly submitted fraudulent documents and his motor vehicle finance was approved by the bank. Gunya said he subsequently received the vehicle, which he never made any payment for since its purchase as credit agreement states.
“As a result, the bank suffered a loss of R1.4 million. The matter was referred to the Klerksdorp based Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation for further handling. Following a lengthy trace, the suspect was arrested by the police at OR Tambo International Airport, while trying to flee to his home country on 2 March 2025.
“Patel appeared before court and the matter was postponed to 13 March 2025, for formal bail application,” he said.
Meanwhile, the acting North West Head for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), Brigadier Silas Munzhedzi and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, lauded the investigation and prosecution team for their relentless efforts in ensuring that perpetrators face the full might of the law.
22 February 2025- A man (36) was sentenced to six years imprisonment for stealing a vehicle by the Postmasburg Regional Court, of which two years were suspended for five years. On 15 December 2023, the accused, Tshepo Links, stole the keys of a Ford Ranger from the house and drove without owner’s consent.
The ZF Mgcawu District police spokesperson, Sergeant Omphile Masegela said Links was driving on the Griekwastad road, where he was involved in a collision and fled the scene. Masegela said the police conducted an investigation, and Links was arrested.
“The police in the ZF Mgcawu District welcomed the conviction and sentencing of a theft of motor vehicle,” he said.
Meanwhile, the District Management, commended the collaborative work by advocate Moloi Motsatse, the investigating officer, Sergeant John Manzana of Upington Vehicle Crime Investigation Unit.
21 January 2025- A man (23) from Letlhabile village, near Brits, briefly appeared before the Brits Magistrate’s Court. Kagiso Stock Malematje is facing charges of two counts of murder and a count of robbery with aggravating circumstances.
It is alleged that in the early hours of 16 January 2025, the accused, along with three other men, targeted a tuck shop in Maboloka village. The group reportedly robbed the deceased of cash, cigarettes, airtime, and two cell phones before fatally shooting them in front of their two minor children.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in Gauteng, Lumka Mahanjana said on 17 January 2025, a witness reported the incident to the police. Mahanjana said Malematje was subsequently identified and arrested on the same day.
“Another suspect believed to have been involved in the crime was also arrested, but did not appear in court. The case has been remanded to 17 February 2025, to allow for further investigations,” she said.
21 November 2024- A man (39) was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment by the Springbok Regional Court for rape. On 11 December 2010, the accused, Mervin Morne Cloete, raped a woman (30), who was in a company of her friends.
The victim and her friends, visited another friend in Okiep, outside Springbok. They consumed alcohol in what can be described as a small party.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in Northern Cape, Mojalefa Senokoatsane said, the complainant usually sleeps in one of the rooms at her friends’ place, when she is drunk or when she comes from the pub. Senokoatsane said on the said night, some of the friends of the complainant, decided to go to the pub in town, but the complainant and the rest of her friends remained behind because they were heavily intoxicated.
“The remaining friends went to sleep, leaving the complainant in the room, where games were usually played. The complainant was in a drunken stupor on the bed in the room, fully clothed.
“At around 11pm, the victim was awoken by one of her friends. The complainant immediately felt that something was off. She realised that her pants and underwear were cut between her legs, and she felt wet in her private parts,” he said.
Senokoatsane further said, the complainant informed her friend that she suspected that she had been violated since her pants and underwear were cut between the legs, and she smelled like someone who just had intercourse.
He added that she also indicated that she had two kids and therefore knew how someone smelled who just had intercourse.
“She also realised that her cell phone which was in her upper body was also missing. The police were called, coming the next morning and the matter was reported. During preliminary investigations, all her male friends who were part of the gathering on 11 December 2010, were regarded as suspects.
“All of them were questioned and their buckle samples were taken for DNA elimination. All of them were eliminated, thus there was no suspect. The state was unable to proceed due to the lack of a suspect,” said Senokoatsane.
He said on 21 May 2021, eleven years later the accused, Cloete, was arrested on an unrelated charge of Contravening the Conditions of a Protection Order. Senokoatsane said his buckle sample was taken and sent to the laboratory to be placed on the database.
“The Investigating Officer in that matter was informed by the laboratory that a comparative search on the National Forensic DNA Database indicates that the accused arrested on the 21 May 2021 matter, is a person of interest in the rape matter that occurred on 11 December 2010.
“A comparison was done, and in a Section 212 statement dated 14 June 2022, it was concluded that the DNA of the accused taken in the 2021 matter, matches the DNA(semen) that was obtained from the tights and the underwear the complainant in the rape matter wore on 11 December 2010,” he said.
Senokoatsane said the regional court prosecutor in the matter, Basil Kock, after consultation with the victim, gave the instruction that the accused be charged with rape and made his first appearance on 24 April 2023.
He said when the trial was to commence, the accused tried to delay the trial, by submitting that Kock had a personal vendetta against him and should therefore recuse himself from the matter.
“The court explained to the accused after submissions by the learned prosecutor that there was no basis for the prosecutor to recuse himself. The trial eventually commenced on 4 September 2023.
“During the trial, the accused again delayed the matter for a considerable period when he fired his legal aid attorney. A Judicare practitioner had to be appointed, which resulted in further delays in finalising the matter,” said Senokoatsane.
“When the trial commenced, the accused testified by an admission that he had sexual intercourse with the complainant on the said date and place. He further admitted the contents of the 212 statements, which indicate that his semen (DNA) was found on the clothing of the complainant.
“However, the accused claimed that the sexual intercourse was with the consent of the complainant. The accused claimed that he went to look for the complainant, at the residence where the rape took place when he did not find her at the local pub,” he said.
Senokoatsane said he further testified that he found the complainant in the room, where she was sleeping, and he woke her up. He said he indicated that after chatting for a while, they slept together.
“All the above was denied by the complainant who insisted that she was in a drunken stupor and knew nothing about any sexual intercourse. This was confirmed by the state witnesses who testified that the complainant was heavily intoxicated and in a drunken stupor when they left her in the room.
“The accused after being cornered on numerous occasions by the prosecutor informed the court that he did not wish to answer any further questions concerning the rape,” said Senokoatsane.
He said during pre-sentencing, Kock highlighted the seriousness and prevalence of the offence in the court’s jurisdiction. Senokoatsane said Kock also highlighted the psychological effect rape has on victims such as the complainant.
14 November 2024- A woman (25) was sentenced to five years imprisonment by the Postmasburg Magistrate’s Court for assaulting her ex-boyfriend with a bottle. On 28 January 2024, the accused, Jocellyn Koopman assaulted her ex-boyfriend with a bottle at a club in Lime Acres.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Molefi Shemane said armed with a protection order, the victim, Poloko Madito (31), reported the incident to the police and the accused was subsequently arrested. Shemane said the case was assigned to Detective Constable Desmond Thabang Madito and guided by Emmauel Muruba of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
“The accused was convicted and sentenced in the Postmasburg Magistrate’s Court to five years imprisonment wholly suspended for five years,” he said.
Meanwhile, the ZF Mgcawu District management applauded the investigating officer and the prosecution team for securing the conviction and sentencing of a domestic violence perpetrator and assured the public that the policing and investigating of domestic violence related crimes remains a priority for the police.
8 November 2024- An elderly man aged 75 was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment by the Bafokeng Sexual Offences Regional Court in Tlhabane, near Rustenburg for rape. On 4 June 2023, the accused, Themba Moya, called Tshwetso Letshaba (15) at around 12pm, to assist him with something in the house at Lethabong Township, outside Rustenburg.
The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said on arrival, Moya who is the victim’s neighbour, invited her to his bedroom, where he raped her. Mokgwabone said the matter was reported to the police and the suspect was arrested.
“Sadly, the victim allegedly killed herself a few weeks after the rape incident,” he said.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, applauded the Investigating Officer, D/Sgt Letshabang Mzinyathi and the state prosecutor, Advocate Dzimema and other role players for working together to secure the conviction.
6 November 2024- A woman (23) was sentenced to 6 years by Kakamas Magistrate’s Court for attempted murder. On 25 November 2023, the accused, Jo Ann Coetzee was fighting with her mother at their house in Noordkamp, Keimoes, when her brother was called to intervene.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Sergio Kock said Coetzee threw a beer in her brother’s face, stabbed him in his back and chest. Kock said she was subsequently arrested and sentenced on 30 October 2024.
“She was sentenced to 6 years imprisonment, but suspended for 5 years. She was also declared unfit to possess a firearm,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Management lauded Detective Sergeant TZ Mohutsiwa of the Kakamas Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit for her thorough investigation that led to the conviction. The management said the police will continue to display a zero tolerance approach towards domestic violence and are committed to bringing perpetrators thereof to justice.
3 September 2024- A man (39) was sentenced to life imprisonment by the De Aar Regional Court for murder. On 6 December 2023, the accused, Ettiene Kula woke up in the morning to find that his girlfriend, Delia Smiles (27), was not home.
The incident took place Petrusville in the Northern Cape.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in Northern Cape, Mojalefa Senokoatsane said Kula was informed that the victim had left early in the morning to go help her cousin with house chores. Senokoatsane said the accused, informed the victim that, he had a job that he had to do and that she must go home when she was done as her children were still sleeping.
“Later in the day when he arrived home from the alleged job, Kula said the children told him that, their mother was never home to give them food. He went back to the house where he had earlier found his girlfriend and found her drinking with friends.
“The accused and girlfriend got into a verbal argument, which led to the accused stabbing her once in the chest and she died. The police were called, and Kula was arrested and charged with murder,” he said.
Senokoatsane further said the NPA will continue to prosecute these matters that affect the safety and well-being of our communities and to ensure justice for victims of crime by arguing for harsher sentences for the perpetrators. He added that the court also declared the accused unfit to possess a firearm.
In aggravation of the sentence the acting state prosecutor, Xolisa March, argued that there were no substantial and compelling circumstances to deviate from the prescribed sentence of life imprisonment. March said the accused person had a previous conviction of murder, where he was sentenced to 15 years of direct imprisonment.
“So, it was not the first time that he had taken a life. The accused was again found guilty of assault with the intent to do Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) in 2017 and 2020, and he is a repeat offender. The state further argued that the accused is a dangerous person, who should be removed from society.
“We have also handed in a Victim Impact Statement compiled by Lettie Ndawo, the aunt of the deceased, and advanced by Trott Manghana. In her statement, Ndawo said that the deceased had two young kids, who still needed her and that she also took care of her younger siblings,” she said.
In sentencing, the court found that there exist no compelling and substantiating circumstances to deviate from the prescribed sentence of life imprisonment. The accused was found guilty on a charge of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment.
Picture: A close-up of man holding knife smeared with blood and still dripping/Generic
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
3 September 2024- A man (44) was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment by the De Aar Regional Court for assault with intent to do Grievous Bodily Harm (GBV). On 2 November 2023, the accused, Richard Scheepers and the complainant/victim, Sarah Jansen (43), were drinking in town.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in Northern Cape, Mojalefa Senokoatsane said, later in the day, they went home, where they started arguing over an R20 and the argument escalated.
“Scheepers got angry and stabbed Jansen with a knife several times in her face. The accused also picked up a rod and hit the victim on her right arm. The victim managed to run out of the house and ask for assistance.
“The police were contacted and the accused was arrested and charged. During the trial, the prosecution led by state prosecutor, Xolisa March, handed in a victim impact statement compiled by the complainant and facilitated by the Court Preparations Officer, Sinazo Ndletyana.
“In her statement, the complainant said she is finally free and can live her life again since the accused person has been in custody. During the trial state provided the court with the accused records, which showed and proved that the accused person had a previous conviction of murder in 2015, and that he was a repeat offender,” he said.
Senokoatsane further said in sentencing, the court found that there were no compelling and substantial circumstances to deviate from the prescribed sentence and sentenced the accused person to 15 years of direct imprisonment. He added that the NPA, envisages that these sentences will provide some justice and closure to the victims and their families and remove violent criminals from the streets.
“This sentence will also send a clear message to perpetrators of GBVF that, the prosecution is serious about fighting the scourge of abuse and killings of women,” said Senokoatsane.
Pic: Two suspects arrested by police in Northern Cape for Business Robbery in Hartswater/Generic
By BAKANG MOKOTO
A man (36) was sentenced to 14 years imprisonment by the Kimberley Regional Court for armed robbery. On 12 August 2022, the accused, Sekhonola Seatile and his accomplice, entered a shop in Long Street, Kimberley, where they threatened the shop keeper at gunpoint and robbed him of cash, cigarettes and cellphones.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Merapelo Pilane said they then locked the complainant inside his shop and fled the scene. Pilane said the Detective Sergeant Eunice Ngono and Constable Mpumelelo Maruping from the Provincial Organised Crime Investigation Unit, were tasked to investigate the incident and through their meticulous investigation, they traced and arrested the suspect in the Free State province.
“Bail was successfully opposed and denied. The accused was found guilty as charged and sentenced to an effective 14 years direct imprisonment and was declared unfit to possess a firearm.
“The Management of SAPS welcomes the sentence secured and commended the detectives for their relentless efforts in bringing perpetrators to justice,” she said.
The Guardian 