Latest news with #JohannesburgMagistrate'sCourt
IOL News
5 days ago
- IOL News
Pair sentenced for leaking matric paper
Two men admitted to unlawfully distributing the Mathematics Paper 2 exam, which caused significant disruption for learners and education authorities across the country. Image: File Two men have been sentenced by the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court after pleading guilty to leaking the 2020 matric mathematics exam paper. The case, which stirred nationwide concern over exam security, involved Themba Daniel Shikwambana, 36, and Thobile Sweetbetter Duze, 48. Both men admitted to unlawfully distributing the Mathematics Paper 2 exam, which caused significant disruption for learners and education authorities across the country. The Department of Basic Education first became aware of the leak on November 16, 2020, when a verified copy of the exam paper surfaced on WhatsApp. The exam paper was confirmed to be genuine after the department received reports that learners in Limpopo and Gauteng had access to the test ahead of the scheduled exam date. The early circulation of the exam prompted immediate concern and sparked an investigation by law enforcement. 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 ✕ Ad loading Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Singo explained that the Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team in Pretoria was tasked with the probe. This led to the arrest of Shikwambana on November 25, 2020, in Orange Farm. At the time, Shikwambana was employed by a printing company in Johannesburg, responsible for producing official exam materials. Authorities suspect he had access to the papers before they were distributed to schools. The investigation expanded and eventually led to the arrest of Duze on June 10, 2021, in Port Shepstone, KwaZulu-Natal. Both men faced charges related to the theft and unlawful distribution of examination papers. Their actions exposed serious weaknesses in the handling and protection of national exam materials, raising concerns about the safety and fairness of the education system. On July 23, 2025, the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court handed down sentences. Both men were fined 100,000 rand or faced 12 months in prison. However, the court suspended half of the fine, 50,000 rand, on the condition that they neither commit similar offences over the next five years. The remaining fine must be paid in monthly instalments of 5,000 rand by April 2026. Additionally, the court issued a fully suspended three-year prison sentence, which will only be enforced if either man commits a similar crime during the suspension period. This case formed part of a larger scandal in 2020 when the Physical Science Paper 2 was also leaked just hours before the exam was to be written. Both leaks caused widespread confusion and uncertainty for matric learners who were already coping with challenges caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. These incidents undermined confidence in the examination system and led to legal debates on how to proceed with affected exams. In December 2020, the Gauteng High Court ruled that Education Minister Angie Motshekga did not have the authority to force learners to rewrite the exams. This judgment brought some relief to students, but the damage to the education system's reputation was already significant. The leak highlighted vulnerabilities within the exam security framework and triggered calls for tighter controls and more accountability within the Department of Basic Education. Since then, the department has made efforts to improve the security of exam papers to prevent future leaks. Many learners and educators viewed the leaks as an unfair addition to the difficulties faced during a challenging year marked by school closures and disruptions. The 2020 matric class had to contend with multiple obstacles, and the exam leaks added further pressure and anxiety. The court's ruling serves as a warning that exam fraud and theft of official documents will not be tolerated. It is hoped that this decision will deter future attempts to compromise the integrity of South Africa's education system. Ensuring that examinations remain secure and fair is essential for maintaining trust in the country's academic standards.
The Citizen
6 days ago
- The Citizen
Two men sentenced for leaking 2020 matric maths paper
Two men who leaked the 2020 matric maths exam were sentenced after pleading guilty in court. Matric pupils at Sekano Ntoane Secondary School in Soweto prepare to sit for their first matric exam. Picture: Tracy Lee Stark Two men were sentenced by the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court after pleading guilty for their involvement in the leaking of a 2020 matric exam paper. Thirty-six-year-old Themba Daniel Shikwambana and 48-year-old Thobile Sweetbetter Duze pleaded guilty to the theft of the Mathematics Paper 2 exam. The Department of Basic Education (DBE) was notified on 16 November 2022 about a possible leak of the maths exam paper. Maths paper leaked via WhatsApp After being verified as a genuine copy of the 2020 Mathematics Paper 2 exam paper, the department was notified via a WhatsApp photo. Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Singo said a preliminary investigation revealed that some pupils in Limpopo and Gauteng confirmed they had received the leaked exam paper via WhatsApp. ALSO READ: Suspect in matric maths paper leak case gets bail The leak was then reported to the Hawks' Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team based in Pretoria for further investigation. On 25 November 2020, authorities traced and arrested Shikwambana in Orange Farm. At the time, he worked at a Johannesburg printing company responsible for printing exam papers. Further investigation led to the arrest of Duze on 10 June 2021 in Port Shepstone, KwaZulu-Natal. Shikwambana and Duze fined and given suspended sentences The Johannesburg Magistrate's Court sentenced Shikwambana and Duze to a fine of R100 000 or 12 months' imprisonment. The court suspended half of the fine – R50 000 or six months' imprisonment – for five years, on the condition that they are not convicted of a similar offence during the suspension period. ALSO READ: Officials mum on government printers being source of matric science paper leak The court also ordered them to pay the remaining R50 000 in monthly instalments of R5 000 by April 2026. The accused was also given a three-year prison sentence that was fully suspended for five years, provided they were not found guilty of the same crime during that time. 2020 leaked exam scandal The same year, the Physical Science Paper 2 was also leaked to pupils hours before being written. The scandal sparked a legal battle over whether the matric class of 2020 had to rewrite the two leaked final exams. On 11 December 2020, Gauteng High Court Judge Norman Davis ruled that the decision to force a rewrite was unlawful, finding that then-minister Angie Motshekga did not have the authority to make that call. NOW READ: Class of 2020: Union, dept butting heads over matric paper rewrites
The Citizen
02-07-2025
- The Citizen
Four police officers in court after most of R900k seized during raid goes missing
Cops allegedly pocketed cash from a foreign exchange raid, booking only part of R900k seized. They've now appeared in court. Four police officers and two civilians were arrested and appeared in court after hundreds of thousands of rands were allegedly stolen during a raid, with only a small portion of the money booked as evidence. Captain Letlhogonolo Andrew Molatlhegi (59), Warrant Officer Mabutho Masina (46), Constable Mpho Irvyn Netshivhera (30), Constable Nhlamulo Matsilela (30), Simon Mapusi Rakuba (47) and Lebogang Tseto (41) appeared before the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court on Wednesday. The police officers, attached to the Hawks' Serious Organised Crime Investigation in Gauteng and Gauteng provincial Saps, and civilians were arrested on Monday. Police officers arrested over missing R900k They are facing charges of theft, possession of suspected stolen money, extortion, and corruption. Police arrested the suspects following a raid on a Johannesburg shop on the afternoon of 30 June 2025. The shop owner received a call from one of his employees, who informed him that police officers were at his shop. The shop owner allegedly instructed his employee to ask the police to wait until he could arrive at the shop. However, the phone call between the shop owner and his employee was suddenly disconnected. ALSO READ: Ten more SANDF members arrested in Hawks officer murder case By the time the shop owner arrived, officers had already closed the store. After that, he went to the Johannesburg Central Police Station and was told that his staff had been taken into custody for violating Section 9 of the Currency Act, Act 9 of 1933. Police also arrested the employee he had been speaking to, accusing him of interfering with their duties. Hawks spokesperson Brigadier Thandi Mbambo said the police officers and two civilians were arrested because the shop owner reported to the Hawks that the officers took R900 000 from his shop during the raid. Only $60k and R130k booked in a evidence 'Upon following up on the information, the Hawks discovered that only $60 000 and R130 000 was booked into the Saps register as the amount recovered by the police instead of booking the amount of R900 000,' Mbambo said. 'It is further alleged that the suspect who was at the shop to exchange the money also tried to entice the police officials with R60 000.' Mbambo confirmed that the R60 000 used to try bribe the police officers was also booked at the Saps register. ALSO READ: Gauteng police station commander arrested for alleged fraud and theft Following up on the information, the Hawks went to Newtown and found the police officers in multiple vehicles. 'The Hawks searched the vehicles, and upon searching, one of the vehicles was found with a substantial amount of cash. As a result, the four police officials and two civilians were arrested on the scene,' Mbambo said. Case postponed The court postponed the case against Captain Molatlhegi, Warrant Officer Masina, Constable Netshivhera, Constable Matsilela, along with Rakuba and Tseto, to 4 July 2025 for further investigation. The accused were remanded in custody. Meanwhile, six other suspects charged with contravening Section 9 of the Currency Act will also appear in court, although prosecutors have since withdrawn those charges. The Acting National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Lieutenant General Siphosihle Nkosi, said the Hawks remain committed to fighting corruption, even within the ranks of law enforcement. 'No one is above the law. The arrest of these officers is a clear demonstration that we will act decisively and without fear or favour to protect the integrity of the criminal justice system and restore public trust in the Saps,' Nkosi said. NOW READ: Counterfeit Gucci and Louis Vuitton: Another massive confiscation in Durban
The South African
18-06-2025
- The South African
Ex-prosecutor and co-accused to stay in jail over jobs-for-cash case
Former district court prosecutor Siphokazi Magangana and her co-accused, Yandisa Jam Jam, will remain in custody until their bail application is heard on Friday, 20 June. The two appeared briefly in Tuesday's Roodepoort Magistrate's Court, facing serious corruption and money laundering charges. Magangana, who was working at the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court during the alleged crimes in August 2022, is accused of offering three individual's permanent positions as prosecutors in exchange for R10 000 each. According to the complaints, no formal applications or interviews were required. The payments were allegedly deposited directly into Jam Jam's bank account. The victims, who never received the promised jobs, reported the incident nearly a year later. An internal investigation by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) followed. It ultimately recommended both criminal charges and disciplinary action against Magangana. The case has since drawn public attention due to a former court officer's abuse of trust and position. According to Jacaranda News , the Prosecuting Authority Phindi Mjonondwane cautioned the public against falling for similar scams. 'We want to warn the public not to fall prey to false promises. The NPA does not require any payment for employment,' she said. 'Our recruitment processes are official, transparent, and advertised publicly.' Magangana and Jam Jam have been remanded in custody and are expected to return to court this Friday. The magistrate will then consider their bail application. Until then, the court has opted to keep them detained, citing the seriousness of the charges and ongoing investigations. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
23-05-2025
- The South African
More than 325 suspects nabbed in Operation Shanela
More than 325 suspects were arrested during Operation Shanela in Tshwane on Thursday, 22 May 2025. A multidisciplinary team involving various stakeholders held the operation on the Sinoville and Kameeldrift policing precincts. The operation, led by the District Commissioner of Tshwane, Major-General Samuel Thine, apprehended a total of 328 suspects for various criminal offences. Tshwane District detectives arrested 280 suspects, including 85 suspects linked to gender-based violence-related cases, four for murder, two for attempted murder, four for armed robbery, and three for rape. A roadblock in Kameeldrift led to the detention of 47 undocumented foreign nationals. During the operation, police patrolled at 18 identified crime hotspots where they arrested one suspect. 'One suspect was arrested for possession and dealing in dagga after being found with one shopping bag full of dagga and [an] additional 14 ziplock bags of dagga and an undisclosed amount of cash,' said the police statement. Additionally, six second-hand goods dealers were inspected and fined a total of R19 000 for contraventions of the Second-Hand Goods Act. A 35-year-old man was arrested for illegal mining, illegal processing of presumed precious minerals and contravention of immigration laws. Roseman Moyo (35) appeared before the Lenyenye Regional Court on Wednesday, 21 May 2025. Moyo will remain in custody until 18 June 2025 for bail application and further police investigations. He was found with a shovel, pickaxe, hammer, phenduka, head lamp, and a bag containing presumed precious minerals. He was also found mining without a permit. Police investigations are currently taking place. In other related news, a 33-year-old suspect was arrested for allegedly dealing in illicit gold around Sandringham. Police spotted the suspect's vehicle on Swindler Road and Lee Street, where they searched it. 'During the search of the vehicle, police discovered 5 grams of illicit gold and R8100 cash,' said the police statement. The suspect also led the police to another property at Sandler Street, where they seized 600 grams of illicit gold valued at R900 000 and R300 000 cash. The suspect will appear at the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court on Monday, 26 May 2025. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
