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.
A man (33) was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Potchefstroom Regional Court for kidnapping and rape. On 27 July 2020, the accused, Daniel Mathuse, who is the uncle to the victim (9), tried to lure her away from where she was playing with her brother, but she refused.
Mathuse then took her by force and later raped her near the dam in Extension 6 in Ikageng Township, Potchefstroom.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West Sivenathi Gunya said, people went to search for the child and found her with the accused. Gunya said this comes after it was reported that her uncle forcefully removed her from where she was playing.
“The child reported to the witness what happened and Mathuse was subsequently arrested. The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges in court, but later, after the evidence of the victim was led and the DNA report became available, he made a formal admission in terms of Section 220 of Criminal Procedure Act,” he said.
In aggravation of sentence, state prosecutor Hester Pretorious, argued that the court should give a deterrence sentence to the accused, as he violated the rights of the young girl. She further argued that Mathuse was supposed to protect his niece, instead he sexually assaulted her and took away her dignity and her confidence.
“There is a scourge of violence against women and children in the country and the court must protect the victims. So, we urge the court not to deviate from the imposed minimum sentence of life imprisonment,” added Pretorious.
Meanwhile, the Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, lauded the prosecutor, the police and other role players, who ensured that justice was served to the victim. She said the DPP hopes this sentence will serve as a deterrent to other relatives that violate the rights of children in their households, instead of protecting them.
“We encourage relatives to play the parenting role and urge the community to report any acts of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) to the relevant authorities,” said Makhari.
The accused, Samuel Ngonyamo (42) was sentenced to eight years imprisonment by the Ventersdorp Magistrate’s Court for contravention of Immigration Act 13 of 2002, and unlawful possession of firearm and ammunition, while Oliah Mthethwa (44) was sentenced to three months imprisonment for contravention of Immigration Act 13 of 2002, or legible to pay a R1000 fine.
In October 2023, members of the Tactical Response Team (TRT) received a tip-off regarding two men who were alleged to be in possession of a firearm, near a certain restaurant in Ventersdorp.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Sivenathi Gunya said the information was operationalised and the police searched a bag the duo was carrying. Gunya said inside the bag, an AK 47 rifle with magazine and ammunition were allegedly found.
“It was also established that the suspects did not possess documents to be in the country and were subsequently apprehended. The accused were denied bail and following a series of court appearances, they were eventually sentenced.
“The court has ordered that the duo be deported to their country of origin after the completion of their sentences,” he said.
Meanwhile, the North West Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Patrick Mbotho and the Director of Public Prosecutions in North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, lauded the investigation and prosecution team for ensuring that the accused are brought to book.
A man (44) was sentenced to 35 years imprisonment in jail by the De Aar Regional Court for rape, escaping from a lawful custody and attempting to escape from lawful custody. On 25 August 2023 at around 15:40pm, the accused, Zamuxolo Michael Lester raped a woman (30) in the toilet of a tavern in Richmond and was subsequently arrested the following day.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Sergio Kock said Lester asked the police official on duty to use the bathroom and managed to escape from the holding cell in the Community Service Centre, but he was re-arrested in Richmond minutes later.
“The accused was later placed in the cells at the police station, where he again attempted to break the mesh fitted to the cell window. He remained in custody and was sentenced in the De Aar Regional Court on 15 July 2024.
“Lester was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for rape, 10 years imprisonment for escaping from lawful custody and five years imprisonment for attempting to escape from lawful custody,” said Kock.
He said Lester’s name will also be recorded in the National Register for Sexual Offenders and he was declared unfit to possess a firearm.
Meanwhile, Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola commended D/Sgt Ilze Fan from the De Aar Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit and D/Cst Rodney Julius of the Richmond Detectives for their hard-work that led to the outstanding sentences.
“Gender-Based Violence (GBV) remains a priority for the police. They will continue to sharpen their responses to crimes committed against the most vulnerable in society,” she said.
A man (33) was sentenced to three years imprisonment by the Mothibistad Regional Court for attempted rape. On 16 June 2023 at around 19:35 at Lokaleng Section, in Seven Miles Village, the accused, Mosimanegape Patrick Ngobene, requested a woman (21) to accompany him and friends to a tavern.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Sergio Kock said Ngobene touched her inappropriately and slapped her in the face. He said the accused was arrested two days later and was sentenced to three years imprisonment, wholly suspended for a period of three years on 22 May 2024.
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Zukiswa Otola lauded the Investigating Officer, D/WO Kenalemang Victoria Babeile from Kuruman Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit, for excellent detective work that secured the attempted rape sentence.
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