Initiation abuse lands traditional nurse behind bars
A traditional nurse, previously convicted for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH), has been jailed again for assaulting and threatening a young initiate under his supervision.
The Tsomo Magistrate's Court sentenced Siyasanga Sifumba, 30, to two years in prison for GBH following his brutal assault on an 18-year-old initiate under his care during the 2024 summer initiation season.
The court also declared Sifumba, who has a previous conviction for assault GBH, unfit to possess a firearm.
Traditional nurse previously convicted on assault GBH
Police arrested the traditional nurse on 17 December 2024 after the initiate was hospitalised.
Three different assaults took place, during which the victim was kicked with boots, threatened with a knife, and struck in the knees with a wooden stick.
ALSO READ: Initiation 'elders' granted bail after damaging woman's home over loud music
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson Luxolo Tyali said the victim's brother, who was a recent graduate of the initiation process, witnessed his brother's brutal beatings.
'Sifumba also issued death threats to both brothers and their parents. As a result of the abuse, the initiate was unable to complete his initiation,' Tyali said.
After Sifumba's arrest, the prosecution successfully opposed bail by pointing out his familial relationship with the victim and the victim's brother.
Accused said victim claimed older women were 'bewitching' him
During the trial, prosecutor Elihle Mbutho presented strong evidence from the initiate, his brother, and the medical doctor who examined the victim.
Sifumba pleaded not guilty and denied any wrongdoing, asserting that the initiate had claimed that elderly women were 'bewitching' him to commit assaults at night.
ALSO READ: No deaths goal set for Limpopo initiation season
'The court rejected this defence as highly improbable, concurring with the prosecution that the severity of the injuries warranted a custodial sentence,' Tyali said.
DPP praises victim, brother's courage
Advocate Barry Madolo, the Eastern Cape Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), welcomed the ruling and praised the victim and his brother's courage for speaking out against abuse and assisting the court.
'Their courageous actions should serve as an example to other initiates who are rescued from abusive initiation schools. We urge them not to hide behind the secrecy of this sacred rite of passage to manhood, but rather to speak out so that justice may prevail,' said Madolo.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Maverick
2 hours ago
- Daily Maverick
‘Accountability must follow' – charges withdrawn against Fort Hare forensic investigator
Sarah Burger, the former main forensic investigator contracted by the University of Fort Hare, who uncovered massive fraud at the institution and was then controversially arrested herself, has indicated that she will sue the government after charges were withdrawn against her on Friday. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has withdrawn controversial fraud charges against a former lead forensic investigator contracted to the University of Fort Hare, where she uncovered evidence of massive wrongdoing. In a media release on Friday, Luxolo Tyali from the NPA said there had been a decision to separate the University of Fort Hare fraud, corruption and money laundering case into five legs. They will be allocated to five Regional Court Magistrates presiding in the East London Specialised Commercial Crimes Court. 'The five legs, which involve 21 accused, who are University of Fort Hare employees, service providers, and their business entities, have now been separated after finalisation of charge sheets, and each magistrate will arrange trial dates with the respective legal representatives. 'Nine of the accused were university employees who, together with service providers and their companies, are accused of having colluded in the awarding of tender contracts at UFH in return for gratifications. 'More than R172-million was paid by UFH to the service providers, with the bulk allegedly finding its way into the pockets of the accused university employees. The conclusion of these tenders was allegedly associated with violent acts, including murder, at the university,' Tyali said. He said the decision to withdraw charges against forensic investigator Sarah Burger came after 'lengthy engagements' between the complainant (University of Fort Hare), the Eastern Cape prosecution team and Burger's legal representatives. Previously, Tyali said the case against Burger and her business partner and owner of Horizon Forensics, Bradley Conradie, was before the court because the NPA 'had evidence linking them to crimes'. 'If they have evidence of political motivation, they can make representations to the Director of Public Prosecutions or escalate it to the National Director of Public Prosecutions,' he said at the time of the arrest. On Friday, Tyali said: 'The decision to separate the case into different legs with tailored prosecution strategies for each will expedite and simplify the prosecution of this complex and multifaceted case, which covers charges ranging from fraud and corruption to murder.' On Sunday, Burger said: 'While I am relieved that justice has finally prevailed, the entire saga has been a harsh and costly lesson marked by immense personal and professional destruction. This is a trauma that cannot be undone.' She said that 'accountability must follow for every cog that aided in this process. Formal complaints have been lodged and acknowledged'. 'If the NPA and the SAPS are truly committed to restoring public trust, they must uphold due process, act within the bounds of the law and respect the rule of law at all times. More importantly, they must respect fundamental constitutional rights, which are rights meant to be enjoyed by all,' she said. 'Without this, no citizen will be safe.' She said she would assist the defence team of her business partner, Conradie. Burger became involved in the investigation at Fort Hare in 2019 and was the lead investigator who put together a docket of information pointing a finger at alleged academic fraud by Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane. Conradie previously said he and Burger believed their arrests were linked to their handing over evidence to the Hawks relating to Mabuyane. These allegations had previously been put to Mabuyane, but he failed to respond. In papers before court, he has described the investigation against him as malicious. He also successfully managed to have himself excluded from an initial investigation by the SIU into academic fraud. However, in October 2024, President Cyril Ramaphosa signed an amended proclamation that widened the SIU's investigation, which could now conceivably include Mabuyane. In what Burger and Conradie described as 'an unnecessarily dramatic show', they were arrested on 28 March by about 24 members of the National Task Force and the National Intervention Unit. Burger spent five nights in holding cells before the State agreed to grant her bail. DM
IOL News
5 hours ago
- IOL News
Rage: Limpopo man charged with murder after driving over his ex-girlfriend and her baby
Police said the mother and her baby alighted from a taxi and her ex-boyfriend, driving his bakkie at high speed, drove over them, following a heated argument earlier. Image: File A 35-year-old Limpopo man will on Monday appear in court after he was arrested for killing a 13-months-old baby girl, and attempted murder on the baby's mother - his ex-girlfriend. Police said the 35-year-old man, who cannot be named until he appears in court, drove over his ex-girlfriend and her baby, killing the child. 'According to information, the female victim was with her child alongside the road, on Friday, at around 8 pm, waiting for a taxi to Segopye village, when the suspect, who is her ex-boyfriend, came and started to have a heated argument with her,' said Limpopo provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Malesela Ledwaba. A taxi arrived, and the woman and her baby boarded the public transport. While on the way, the taxi driver apparently informed the mother that her ex-boyfriend's van was following the taxi. 'They alighted at Marothi (Makwalaneng) Cross, and her ex-boyfriend, driving the van at a high speed, drove over them, without stopping,' said Ledwaba. The attacked mother and child were taken to Mankweng Hospital with serious injuries. Later, the 13-month-old baby passed on, and the mother sustained injuries on her leg. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ A case of murder and attempted murder was registered with the police. Last year, the High Court in North West, sitting in the Klerksdorp Regional Court, sentenced 26-year-old hitman Monokwa Malewu to life imprisonment for murder and an additional seven years in jail for attempted murder. At the time, National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson in North West, Sivenathi Gunya said the mastermind behind the murder, Maseiso Clementinah Kokama, 64, received a life sentence for murder and 15 years for conspiracy to commit a crime, in violation of the Riotous Assemblies Act. Moeketsi Petrus Lesuhlo, 47, a Lesotho citizen, was also sentenced to life imprisonment for murder and 15 years for conspiracy to commit crime under the same Act. 'The court ruled that all sentences would run concurrently with the life sentences imposed on each accused,' said Gunya. The charges stem from a 'tragic' incident that occurred in Kanana, a township in Klerksdorp. 'Evidence presented in court revealed that the 64-year-old Kokama was in a relationship with Dingaan Dlamini, which ended poorly, leading to their separation. Shortly after, Dlamini became romantically involved with Nonzame Hondwana, which Kokama did not take well,' Gunya narrated. 'Driven by jealousy and anger, she (Kokama) orchestrated a hit on Hondwana.' On April 1, 2022, while Hondwana was having dinner at home with Dlamini, there was a knock at the door. When Dlamini opened the door, the hitman Malewu indicated he was there to see Hondwana. He then shot her multiple times, killing her instantly. IOL News
The Citizen
2 days ago
- The Citizen
Leaked Bushiri case affidavit puts witness at risk, warns NPA
Shepherd Bushiri and his wife, Mary, are facing extradition to South Africa to stand trial on multiple serious charges, including fraud and rape Self-proclaimed prophet Shepherd Bushiri and his wife, Mary, in the Pretoria Magistrate's Court during their bail application on 4 November 2020. Picture: Jacques Nelles The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has expressed serious concern over the leak of a confidential affidavit belonging to a key state witness in the fraud and money laundering case involving self-proclaimed prophet Shepherd Bushiri and his co-accused. The NPA said the affidavit forms part of the documents in the case docket that was disclosed to the defence for the accused to prepare for their trial. Witness endangering NPA regional spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana slammed the leaking of the document which contains the witness's full personal details and even her photograph published by a media outlet 'It is very concerning as this leaked affidavit has the potential to compromise the state's case. It also endangers the life of the state witness because her full details, including a photo of her, were published in the media,' she said. Mahanjana said the case was set down for trial to commence on 14 October 2024, almost a year ago. 'However, the case has been met with numerous interlocutory applications by some of the accused attempting to delay the trial. None of these interlocutory applications were successful. Despite all these applications, the state has always maintained its readiness to start with the trial,' Mahanjana said. ALSO READ: Bushiris file application to set aside ruling ordering extradition to SA Media houses She urged media houses to exercise restraint and act in the public interest without compromising legal processes or endangering individuals involved in the case. 'We therefore urge the media to be responsible when exercising their mandate to produce news to keep the public informed to do so without jeopardising the rights of the witnesses who will be called to testify.' Mahanjana did not disclose whether an investigation into the source of the leak is underway. Bushiri's Bushiri and his co-accused face at least six charges, including rape, violating bail conditions and contraventions of the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act, Banking Act, Civil Aviation Act and Immigration Act. Bushiri and his wife, Mary Bushiri, fled to Malawi in November 2020, after being granted bail of R200 000 each under strict conditions by the Pretoria Central Magistrate's Court. The case is set down for trial on 4 August 2025. ALSO READ: Bushiri celebrates reduced charges, but can they be reinstated? Malawi's attorney general explains
