1 December 2025- Two accused, Lesego Batweng (43) and Onkabetse Batweng (22), briefly appeared before the Zeerust Magistrate’s Court on 28 November 2025, for the alleged murder of Mmapula Nyanto (44). Lesego and her son, Onkabetse were remanded in custody until 2 December 2025.
The North West police spokesperson, Colonel Adéle Myburgh said the accused persons’ court appearance emanated from an incident wherein Nyanto was allegedly undressed and assaulted after being accused of witchcraft. Myburgh said the incident occurred on Monday morning, 24 November 2025, in Dinokana village, near Lehurutshe.
“After the ordeal, Nyanto was taken to a nearby health centre, where she was declared dead a short while later. Meticulous investigation conducted by the Lehurutshe Detectives led to the identification of the two suspects, who were arrested shortly after the incident,” she said.
Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo, applauded the Lehurutshe Detectives for working hard to ensure that the suspects are arrested. Naidoo warned that taking the law into one’s hands is unlawful, unacceptable, and cannot be tolerated.
2 July 2025- Two accused, Paseka Motlhabe (40) and Mveleli Notshozi (40), were sentenced to life imprisonment by the Klerksdorp Regional Court. Motlhabe and Notshozi were convicted of the brutal murder of Jerry Moitoi (35) and will each serve life imprisonment. The incident occurred on 28 April 2024 in Orkney.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Sivenathi Gunya said investigations revealed that Motlhabe and Notshozi were drinking at a local restaurant when the altercation started. Gunya said the evidence presented in court showed that the deceased, Moitoi, had taken and sold empty bottles previously used by the accused.
“When the accused confronted him and demanded the proceeds, he refused to hand over the money. This led to a vicious attack, captured on the restaurant’s surveillance footage, which highlighted the brutal and senseless nature of the crime.
“Moitoi later succumbed to his injuries and a murder case was opened. Both accused were arrested on 9 May 2024 and remained in custody until the conclusion of the trial,” he said.
Gunya further said they pleaded guilty to the charge of murder, read with the provisions of Section 51(1) of the Criminal Law Amendment Act 105 of 1997.
“In aggravation of sentence, state prosecutor, Lihloriso Mthoa urged the court not to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence, citing the rise in violent crimes and the particularly heinous nature of the offence.
“The magistrate agreed, stating that the accused showed no regard for human life and acted in common purpose. The court found no substantial or compelling circumstances to justify a lesser sentence and imposed life imprisonment on both,” he added.
Meanwhile, welcoming the sentence, the Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr. Rachel Makhari, commended the investigation and prosecution teams for their diligence and commitment.
“The NPA remains steadfast in ensuring accountability. Violent crimes will not be tolerated, and perpetrators will face the full might of the law,” said Makhari.
31 March 2025- Two accused, Lungisani Daniel Mantsha and Zwelakhe Nhlanganiso Ntshepe, briefly appeared before the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crime Court on counts of corruption that includes The Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act, Contravention of the Public Finance Management Act, Contravention of the Companies Act and fraud. Their court appearance follows an arrest by the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC).
The IDAC spokesperson, Henry Mamothame said Mantsha and Ntshepe stand accused of their alleged involvement in the irregular approval and establishment of the Denel Asia Joint Venture. Mamothame said they allegedly signed the venture without following due process and further misrepresented facts to the ministers that the deal was not yet signed, while it was.
“The alleged irregular joint venture is a formation between VR Laser South Africa (VRLSA) and Denel Asia which is a private company registered in Hong Kong. Denel is said to be a 51% shareholder in Denel Asia, while VRLSA holds 49%.
“They purported VRLSA to be the only suitable business entity that met all the legislative requirements to enter into a Shareholders Agreement with Denel, a South African government entity,” he said.
Mamothame further said at the time of the commission of the alleged offence, Mantsha was a Non-Executive Director and a Chairman of the Board of Directors of Denel, when Ntshepe was the acting Group Chief Executive Officer, but later appointed on the position on a permanent basis. He added that the alleged offences were committed in the period between 2014 March and 2018 March.
“They allegedly disregarded a directive by the Minister of Finance stipulating that all transactions relating to Denel (SA) should be subjected to the minister’s approval as well as the approval from the Ministry of Public Enterprises.
“This was following the finance minister issuing a guarantee to Denel (SA) in the amount of R1.8 billion. They further stand accused of receiving gratification for their alleged involvement in facilitating the deal,” said Mamothame.
He said it was further discovered that confidential information relating to the affairs of the Board of Directors was disclosed between July 2014 and May 2016. Mamothame said there were also further discoveries of disregard to the PFMA stipulations by allegedly awarding bursaries without the required authority to do so.
“The two were granted R30 000 bail and their matter was postponed to 16 May 2025, for disclosures. The court ordered them to surrender their passports and not apply for new ones.
“They were further ordered to make an application with the court to amend the bail conditions l, should a need arise for them to travel outside the country,” he said.
Two accused, Hilda Matlhabadie Tlou (41) and Authalia Busika (47), were sentenced to five years imprisonment by the Bafokeng Regional Court, or pay a R20 000 fine after they were found guilty of fraud. According to the Hawks in North West, between 2012 and 2013, Tlou, who is a former clerk at the Bafokeng Magistrate’s office and Busika, who is a former clerk at the Rustenburg Platinum Mine, reportedly connived and created a fraudulent Power of Attorney letter for maintenance from a beneficiary of file of the complainant.
The Hawks spokesperson in North West, Lieutenant Col, Tinyiko Mathebula said they allegedly stole R55 000, which they shared among themselves. Mathebula further said following an investigation, the pair was arrested by members of the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation in 2015.
“Tlou was released on warning, while Busika was released on R5000 bail. The accused made a series of court appearances until they were convicted and sentenced.
“They were sentenced to R20 000 fine or five years imprisonment, half of which is suspended for five years on condition that they are not found guilty of fraud during the period of suspension,” he added.
Meanwhile, the North West Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Patrick Mbotho and the Director of Public Prosecutions in North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, have lauded the investigation and prosecution team for securing a successful conviction against the accused.
The Guardian 