Latest news with #DurbanGirlsSecondarySchool
IOL News
12-07-2025
- IOL News
Father of slain Durban schoolgirl expresses heartfelt gratitude for justice
Wandile Aphiwe Ngcobo's killers were sentenced to life imprisonment by the Durban High Court. Image: Supplied The father of the slain Durban Girls Secondary School pupil has expressed gratitude to the police and prosecution after the Durban High Court sentenced her killers to life imprisonment. Wandile Aphiwe Ngcobo was brutally murdered in their home at Mlazi township, Durban. Mondli Ngcobo said that although his daughter was not going to come back, he was happy with how the court sentenced Sifundo Bongani Bhengu, 39, and Bongani Freedom Jali, 24. On May 28, 2024, Bhengu and Jali entered the Ngcobo house to steal a big screen television so that they could sell it to get more drugs, as they were addicts. 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 ✕ They watched Ngcobo and Wandile's younger sister leave his house in the morning. They both went to the house and stole the TV, robbed Wandile of her cellphone, and took a Puma backpack. The TV was later sold at the Durban CBD. Wandile's body was found gagged and bound with pantyhose. They were both sentenced to life imprisonment for the brutal murder on Friday. Ngcobo said State senior prosecutor, Advocate Krishen Shah, and the investigating officer, Sergeant Mndeni Mzila, were dedicated to making sure that justice was served. 'Not all police officers are corrupt. Sgt Mzila dedicated himself to this case. We wanted closure, and we got it,' he said. Sifundo Bhengu, front, and Bongani Jali were sentenced to life imprisonment for killing Wandile Aphiwe Ngcobo. Image: Nomonde Zondi However, he said it was disappointing that Bhengu and Jali did not get charged for allegedly raping his daughter before killing her. He alleged that when Sgt Mzila started investigating the case, it was too late, as they had buried Wandile. He added that Wandile's body became stale while at a mortuary, so doctors could not determine whether she was indeed raped. 'I think I have to accept this and let it go,' he said. Additionally, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson in KZN, Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, said the conviction underscores their commitment to ensuring justice for victims of crime and their families. After the sentencing, Legal Aid advocate Phumelele Daniso told the High Court that Jali had instructed him to appeal the sentence, as he felt that the life imprisonment was too harsh. Daniso stated that his client was present in the planning of stealing, which was hatched and executed up until the items were sold. 'Jali's participation did not go to the extent that he inflicted the wound. The misdirection of the court here is that it had to look at the participation of each accused,' Daniso explained. Wandile Aphiwe Ngcobo was killed in her home at uMlazi while preparing for her Grade 11 exams. Image: Supplied He said the court convicted both Bhengu and Jali on a common purpose, adding that another court would not sentence Jali any differently. Judge Garth Harrison said to deviate, one must find substantial and compelling circumstances. He asked Daniso if the compelling circumstance was that Jali did not stab Wandile. Daniso said yes. However, Judge Harrison said the issues that Daniso relied on were dealt with in the sentence. 'I considered these and I rejected them. Leave to appeal is refused,' Judge Harrison said.
IOL News
08-07-2025
- IOL News
Judge rejects bid to reopen murder case of Durban schoolgirl
Wandile Aphiwe Ngcobo was killed in her home at uMlazi while preparing for her Grade 11 exams. Image: Supplied The Durban High Court, which needed to start delivering its ruling on the murder case of Durban Girls Secondary School pupil Wandile Aphiwe Ngcobo, was delayed for an hour on Tuesday morning after one of the accused told the court that he wanted to reopen his case. The 17-year-old Aphiwe was allegedly killed on May 28, 2024, by Sifundo Bongani Bhengu and Bongani Freedom Jali, who also live in the area. Her body was found gagged and bound with a pair of pantyhose at her home in uMlazi. According to the State, Ngcobo had remained home on the fateful day to study for her Grade 11 exams. On Tuesday morning, as Judge Garth Harrison started to read his judgment, Jali raised his hand. Phumelele Daniso, his Legal Aid advocate, went to speak with him. Daniso informed the court after speaking with his client that Jali was holding a written document and that he wished to read it in front of the judge. 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 ✕ According to Daniso, he was not informed about this material by his client. 'I think we must clarify that if he wants to reopen his case, that would require you to make an application,' Judge Harrison said. He stood the matter down for 10 minutes. When the matter resumed, Daniso told the court that his client wanted to reopen the case. However, Daniso said his client wanted to deal with things that were not relevant, and some of those had been dealt with in cross-examination. Jali raised his hand again, informing his counsel that he wished to call two witnesses. He stated that he wished to call his mother and an additional witness. Daniso expressed his frustrations to the court of being given instructions at the last hour, with Jali constantly raising his hand several times. At this stage, the gallery seemed frustrated as whenever he raised his hand, everyone would say 'aah again'. Jali instructed Daniso that he wanted his parents to testify in court. The State opposed Jali's application. Senior State prosecutor advocate Krishen Shah said an accused has a right to reopen his case if there was a fact that was unknown to him and has recently come to light. He said there also needs to be finality in the matter, adding that what Jali said when he got to the stand and when he made admissions at the beginning of the trial did not involve his parents. 'My submissions are that this application must be refused,' Shah said. Judge Harrison said none of the grounds for reopening the case had been identified. 'In light of your desire to call your mother and father is completely irrelevant to this case. Application to reopen the case has been refused,' Judge Harrison ordered. Jali raised his hand again and instructed Daniso that another witness he wants to call is the investigating officer of the case. Judge Harrison said the investigating officer had already testified. He said he would start with his judgment and would no longer allow interruption. As the judge started his ruling, he found Mondli Ngcobo, Aphiwe's father, a credible and reliable witness. Judgment continues.
IOL News
22-04-2025
- IOL News
Accused in Durban schoolgirl murder trial blame each other in court
The two men accused of killing a Durban school girl, while she was preparing for her grade 11 exams are fingerpointing each other in telling their versions of the incident, at the Durban High Court on Tuesday. The victim Wandile Aphiwe Ngcobo (17) from uMlazi was a pupil at Durban Girls Secondary School. She was allegedly killed by Sifundo Bongani Bhengu (39) and Bongani Freedom Jali (24) both from uMlazi. 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 ✕ According to the State, Ngcobo was home alone on May 28, 2024, studying for her exams when the men entered her home and robbed and murdered her. Ngcobo's body was gagged and bound in her home in uMlazi. Bhengu and Jali are charged with housebreaking with intent to steal, robbery with aggravating circumstances, and murder. During the cross-examination of Mondli Ngcobo, the father of the school girl, advocate Vicky Nattar put it to him that Bhengu denied all the crimes he is alleged to have committed. Bhengu though his lawyer, Nattar, said he had two houses - one in uMlazi and the other in Clermont. At the time, he was residing in Clermont as he had bought that house from his father. Wandile Aphiwe Ngcobo. | Supplied 'It is my instructions that Jali drives a Toyota Avanza and he uses it to commute school children. He is popular and well-known among schoolchildren. On the day of the incident he (Jali) insisted that he used his charm to enter your (Ngcobo) premises,' Nattar put it to Ngcobo. Ngcobo asked Nattar how he was supposed to answer that. After a short break, Nattar put the version of his client Bhengu. Bhengu said he went to uMlazi at midnight on 28 May, and he met with Jali and his friend Bruino and they asked him for money. Bhengu bought them food. He said Jali wanted to stay with him because he was intoxicated from smoking crystal methamphetamine. Bhengu said at that time he smoked Mandrax. Additionally, Jali borrowed money from Bhengu because he wanted to repair the tires of his Avanza. However, Bhengu said he did not lend him money because he was renovating his two houses. From left Sifundo Bongani Bhengu and Bongani Freedom Jali they are both accused of killing Wandile Aphiwe Ngcobo 'Jali decided to make a plan on the morning of May 28. He waited for the father (Ngcobo) and the younger sister to leave,' Bhengu added. He said he told Jali that there was another sister in the house. Bhengu said Jali was desperate for the money and he did not listen to him. He said he watched him while he stood from the water meter of his property in uMlazi. 'I don't know how he gained access to the house, but he was there for 15 to 20 minutes," he said. He said Jali came back with a cellphone that he bought from him for R300 as he knew it was stolen. Bhengu said Jali wanted him to make a plan for the TV that he had stolen, and he did by calling his friend Sticks. He said the three of them and another unknown male took the television from Ngcobo's home and went to sell it at Russell Street in Durban to a foreigner for R3000. He said Jali paid for petrol for the car and gave him R400. 'At this point, I didn't know that he had murdered the girl,' he said. He said afterwards they went to the U section at uMlazi and that is when Jali told him that he killed the girl. Judge Garth Harrison asked Nattar for clarity on the version he had put. He asked where the portion about Jali boasting to use his charms to gain access to Ngcobo's home fitted into this new version of events. Nattar tried to explain it. 'I want you to take an instruction and you tell me,' said Judge Harrison. Bhengu confirmed his version. Last week Jali had told the court that he was intoxicated and that Bhengu was the one who entered the Ngcobo household while he was at Bhengu's home. The gallery in this case is always full of church members, ANC members, and community members. During the proceedings, Judge Harrison has had to warn the gallery to not interfere with the trial as they would make noise.
