Latest news with #CaiphusNyoka
Zawya
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
South Africa: Justice Committee Chairperson Welcomes Apartheid Cop's Sentence for Killing Caiphus Nyoka
The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development, Mr Xola Nqola, has welcomed the 15-year prison sentence handed down to former apartheid police officer Mr Johan Marais for the 1987 killing of student activist Mr Caiphus Nyoka. Mr Marais was sentenced today in the Pretoria High Court. He is one of three individuals charged in connection with Mr Nyoka's murder and pleaded guilty, stating that he had been ordered to assassinate Mr Nyoka. Mr Nqola said: 'This sentence is indeed welcome. A young man was robbed of his life, a bright future. The committee would like to see the finalisation of all apartheid crimes. This will bring some closure for the families and friends of our liberation struggle heroes, even if it does not bring back their loved ones.' He added: 'We commend the prosecuting team for ensuring that justice is done. This should be a message to all those unfinalised matters that the committee would like we want it to proceed in this manner.' Mr Nqola emphasised that the committee will continue to monitor similar cases, as survivors and families should not have to wait decades for justice. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
The Citizen
10-07-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Top 10 stories of the day: Charges against Mchunu
Here's your daily news update for Thursday, 10 July 2025: An easy-to-read selection of our top stories. News today includes the political noose seems to be getting tighter and tighter around the neck of Police Minister Senzo Mchunu. Meanwhile, Johan Marais has been sentenced to 15 years for the killing of anti-apartheid activist Caiphus Nyoka by the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria. Furthermore, a top European court on Thursday said a Swiss court did not give South African runner Caster Semenya a fair trial over whether she should lower her testosterone levels to compete as a woman. Weather tomorrow: 11 July 2025 Rough seas are forecast between the three Capes until Saturday, while cold and wet weather hits parts of the Northern and Western Cape. Rain is also expected to touch down in parts of the Eastern Cape. Full weather forecast here. Stay up to date with The Citizen – More News, Your Way. Charges laid against Mchunu as pressure mounts on Ramaphosa to act amid national security concerns The political noose seems to be getting tighter and tighter around the neck of Police Minister Senzo Mchunu. On Thursday, the DA laid criminal charges against him at the Cape Town police station for allegedly misleading parliament. Police Minister Senzo Mchunu. Picture: Gallo Images Mchunu is accused of lying to the portfolio committee of police after he initially denied knowing Brown Mogotsi, a man accused of playing a role in capturing the South African Police Service (Saps). CONTINUE READING: Charges laid against Mchunu as pressure mounts on Ramaphosa to act amid national security concerns Ramaphosa to address nation following allegations by Mkhwanazi President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver a national address on Sunday evening in response to public remarks made by KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Mkhwanazi recently made damning allegations against Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and senior members of the South African Police Service (Saps), accusing them of corruption and collusion with criminal networks. President Cyril Ramaphosa at Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guesthouse in Pretoria on 27 March 2025. Picture: Gallo Images/Frennie Shivambu The claims have sparked widespread concern across the country. CONTINUE READING: Ramaphosa to address nation following allegations by Mkhwanazi Apartheid cop sentenced for Caiphus Nyoka murder, judge says he can use time in jail to write book Johan Marais has been sentenced to 15 years for the killing of anti-apartheid activist Caiphus Nyoka by the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria. The student activist from Daveyton, Gauteng, was killed in an alleged confrontation with police during a raid on his backyard room on 24 August 1987. Anti-apartheid activist Caiphus Nyoka was murdered on 24 August 1987 at his Daveyton home. Picture: Supplied Nyoka sustained at least 12 gunshot wounds, around his head, chest and hands. CONTINUE READING: Apartheid cop sentenced for Caiphus Nyoka murder, judge says he can use time in jail to write book 'Devastated' family asks for help after South African woman killed on luxury yacht in Bahamas The world of super yachting has been thrown into shock after the brutal murder of a young South African guest relations officer by a trusted fellow crew member below decks. 20-year-old Paige Bell — the 'meet-and-greet' face of a R230 million charter yacht called Far From It — was attacked in the engine room after the vessel moored up in the Bahamas. Paige Bell was found murdered on a super yacht in the Bahamas. Picture: Supplied It is said she put up a brave battle for life but was overpowered by the 39-year-old Mexican ship's mechanic, whose motive for the attack is under police investigation. CONTINUE READING: 'Devastated' family asks for help after South African woman killed on luxury yacht in Bahamas European court says Caster Semenya's trial wasn't fair in gender testing case A top European court on Thursday said a Swiss court did not give South African runner Caster Semenya a fair trial over whether she should lower her testosterone levels to compete as a woman. The double Olympic champion, who is classed as having 'differences in sexual development', has been unable to compete in her favoured 800m category since 2018, after she refused to take drugs to reduce her testosterone levels following World Athletics' introduction of new rules on women competitors. Caster Semenya at the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Eugene. Picture:/AFP She had hoped for the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) to also rule that she had been a victim of discrimination, but its Grand Chamber said those complaints were inadmissible as they did not fall under Switzerland's jurisdiction. CONTINUE READING: European court says Caster Semenya's trial wasn't fair in gender testing case Here are five more stories of the day: Yesterday's News recap READ HERE: Masemola on KZN task team | Mchunu downplays Mogotsi link | Viljoen's R71m slap
News24
10-07-2025
- News24
Former apartheid cop gets 15 years for 1987 murder of Caiphus Nyoka
Johan Marais, the former apartheid cop who pleaded guilty to the 1987 murder of student activist Caiphus Nyoka, has been sentenced to 15 years behind bars. Marais, 66, appeared in the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria on Thursday, more than 37 years after he gunned down Nyoka on 23 August 1987 in Daveyton, Gauteng. Marais, who pleaded guilty to the crime, said he was given an order to assassinate Nyoka. Judge Mokhine Mosopa said his sentence had to fit the punishment and serve as a deterrent and retribution.
The Citizen
12-06-2025
- The Citizen
State triumphs as court rejects Section 174 application
The Pretoria High Court, sitting in the Benoni Magistrate's Court, dismissed a Section 174 application brought by accused one, former commanding officer Major Leon Louis Van Den Berg (75), and accused two, former sergeant Abraham Hercules Engelbrecht (61). The pair sought to be discharged from the charges against them on the grounds that the State had no case. The two, along with their co-accused, former sergeant Pieter Stander (60), face a murder charge for allegedly killing student activist and Congress of South African Students (COSAS) member Caiphus Nyoka. It is alleged that on the evening of August 23, 1987, the three men — members of the SAPS Reaction Unit — met to plan Nyoka's killing. Under the command of Major Van Den Berg, a plan was devised to raid Nyoka's home. Also Read: 1987 Daveyton murder: Investigator details how he traced apartheid-era cops In the early hours of August 24, 1987, at about 02:30, Stander, Engelbrecht, and other Reaction Unit members, who are also charged separately, arrived at Nyoka's homestead and stormed his room. They found Nyoka and three friends asleep. After identifying him, they removed the others from the room and shot him nine times. He died on the scene from multiple gunshot wounds. The State called five witnesses during the trial: Nyoka's sisters, Alegria and Mothasi Nyoka; Exodus Nyokane, one of Nyoka's friends present that night; Dr Rousseau, an expert witness and TRC researcher; and the investigating officer, Lieutenant Colonel Beukman. Mahanjana said the court dismissed their application, and thereafter, Van Den Berg opted to remain silent and closed his case. The matter was postponed to September 8–19 for the defence case of Engelbrecht and Stander. The case against former Reaction Unit member Johan Marais (65), who pleaded guilty and was convicted of the same offence, will return to court for sentencing proceedings on June 5 and 6. Mahanjana described the court's decision as encouraging, noting that the State had overcome a significant hurdle in the defence's attempt to halt the trial. Also Read: Slain Caiphus Nyoka honoured at wreath-laying ceremony At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
10-06-2025
- IOL News
Johan Marais faces sentencing for the murder of activist Caiphus Nyoka in apartheid-era case
Former apartheid police officer Johan Marais, who was earlier found guilty of the 1987 murder of student activist Caiphus Nyoka, will be back in the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria. Image: Jacques Naude / Independent Newspapers Former apartheid police officer Johan Marais, who was earlier found guilty of the 1987 murder of student activist Caiphus Nyoka, will be back in the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, on July 7, when arguments will be further presented regarding his possible sentence. The defence called a psychologist last week who assessed the 66-year-old Marais. She told the court that he has remorse for what he had done 38 years ago, and he wishes that he could undo what had happened. Apartheid-era police officer Johan Marais will be back in the dock in July to face punishment for his role in the killing of Caiphus Nyoka. Image: Zelda Venter 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 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. Next Stay Close ✕ The proceedings have been set down for a week in July, during which the family of Nyoka is expected to state their feelings about the case. In mitigation of sentence, psychologist Kirsten Clark pointed out that Marais is willing to partake in rehabilitation programmes, as well as his age, and the fact that he is not healthy. Marais, however, indicated that he would abide by a prison sentence if this was what the court had in mind. In August 1987, Nyoka was fatally shot at his family home in Daveyton by a police unit established to deal with terrorism. In 1988 and 1989, an inquest held before the Benoni Magistrate's Court resulted in a ruling that the police had acted in self-defence, despite evidence presented by the family suggesting otherwise. In 1997, Nyoka's mother, Saroma Nyoka, and his sister, Alegria Nyoka, approached the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) to seek justice and to unearth the truth behind the killing. None of the police officers involved in Nyoka's killing applied for amnesty. Marais described his role as a section leader in Reaction Unit 6 (riot unit) based in Dunnottar at the time of the killing. He said on August 23, 1987, he and other members were called by their commander.
