Latest news with #Joubert
The Citizen
6 days ago
- The Citizen
Jurgens Nel murder update: Tonga court postpones case to August
Murder accused Sonell Joubert briefly appeared before the Tonga Magistrate's Court on Thursday, June 26. It took a mere five minutes for the court to postpone the matter to August 14 after Joubert's legal representative, Adv Hennie van Rensburg, asked for the postponement. Van Rensburg told the court the docket had not been furnished to the defence and therefore could not continue with the matter. He prevented Lowvelder's senior journalist, Riot Hlatshwayo, from interviewing Joubert. 'She is under my instructions and you are not going to interview her,' Van Rensburg said, despite being told the interview would be to establish what Joubert missed most when she spent almost four months behind bars and to get her view of what life is like in prison. ALSO READ: Mpumalanga High Court grants bail for murder-accused Sonell Joubert Joubert was arrested on February 4 when she went to the KaMhlushwa Police Station to give a statement about the case she is now charged in. She is accused of stabbing Jurgens Nel to death at the Lowhills Farm in Nkomazi at the beginning of February. The Tonga Magistrate's Court denied her bail on February 24, following two applications in which she was represented by two different lawyers. One of her previous lawyers, Marco Lamberti from Johannesburg, pulled out of the case saying he had not been paid for his services. ALSO READ: Judgment reserved in bail appeal of murder-accused Sonell Joubert Van Rensburg took over and successfully secured Joubert's R15 000 bail, which was granted by the Mpumalanga Division of the High Court on May 29 after an appeal. The ordeal started when Joubert approached the Tonga police February 1 to report Nel for contravening a protection order she had instituted against him. Two police officers went to the Lowhills Farm to arrest Nel for the offence, but while they were there, Joubert and her life partner, Johann Möller, told the police that Nel had locked himself inside the house, and he was armed and aggressive. ALSO READ: Tonga Magistrate's Court postpones Sonell Joubert's murder case yet again The cops left without speaking to Nel, but eight police officers returned to the farm on February 3 looking for him. They found him dead with six stab wounds to the upper body. The team leader and investigating officer, Sergeant Bonginkosi Given Nguyuza, later told the court that Joubert told him that she stabbed Nel during a fight. Nguyuza then instructed her to visit the KaMhlushwa Police Station to give a statement about what had happened. After listening to Joubert's story, Nguyuza immediately placed her under arrest, which led to her stay behind bars from February 4 to May 29 when the High Court granted her bail. ALSO READ: Onderberg death on Lowhills farm: Bail hearing for Sonell Joubert; voicenote reveals intriguing detail Joubert, Möller and Nel stayed on the farm where the latter assisted the couple with woodwork and other domestic duties. Joubert and Möller owned a domesticated elephant that they used for educational interactions with tour groups, but authorities have since removed him from the farm. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
17-06-2025
- The Citizen
Prayers for first responders, CPF-family, in street where seven year old died
Prayers for first responders, CPF-family, in street where seven year old died Middelburg's crime fighting fraternity is in mourning following the death of a seven year old girl in Meyer Street this afternoon, where she was struck by a truck while riding her bicycle with her brother. The girl's father, who is currently in Turkey, will be arriving in South Africa tomorrow around 12:00. The man, who is a contractor, also serves as an Executive of the Local Community Policing Forum's Sector One command. The seven year old was out on a bike ride with her brother when she was struck by the truck. The truck mounted the pavement the girl was rushing towards, after her brother mounted the curb to get out of traffic. The devastated boy threw down his bicycle and ran home to inform his grandfather of the accident. The boy's uncle rushed to the scene, where family members later joined. CPF Chairperson Juanitha Groenewald meanwhile, also rushed to the scene to support her fellow CPF members, many of whom left work to support their CPF colleague's bereaved family on the scene. Groenewald requested the presence of local Pastor and veteran Chaplain, Callie Joubert, who prayed for first responders including SAPS, local fire brigade, emergency services, pathology services, local criminal record centre, as well as all the CPF members who gathered on the scene. The majority of the first responders that assisted are also parents. 'We are a family, and the father, who is heading back to South Africa overnight, is one of the CPF's most beloved and hard working members,' Groenewald says. She added the outpouring of love from the community following the tragedy has been incredible. 'We are doing everything we can to support them, and ask that the community allow the family to reunite in their grief with dignity and respect'. She thanked Chaplain Joubert for his support and spiritual guidance, not only to the family of the girl, but to all first responders he's been supporting over many years in service. Joubert is also a trauma counsellor. Meanwhile the Middelburg community has responded with outrage over the accident which they blame solely on the number of trucks moving throughout town. A call has been made for the community to unite in an effort to force law enforcement to keep trucks off our roads. READ MORE HERE: At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading! Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App here
The Citizen
14-06-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
DA raises alarm over R8.5m deficit at Polokwane Housing Association
Quick read The DA in Polokwane has raised serious concerns over the financial mismanagement of the Polokwane Housing Association (PHA), which is projecting an R8.5 million deficit despite receiving a R10 million municipal subsidy. DA councillor Jacques Joubert said the housing body has failed to submit annual financial statements on time and has regressed to a qualified audit finding. Joubert pointed to the largely unoccupied phase two of the Ga-Rena housing project as a key example of mismanagement, citing delayed tenant placements and previous water supply issues. Phase one has also suffered vandalism and poor maintenance. Joubert warned that without decisive leadership and regular reporting, the entity risks collapse. The municipality has not yet commented on the matter. Full story POLOKWANE – The DA in Polokwane is deeply concerned about the manner in which the municipality's housing provision arm, the Polokwane Housing Association (PHA) is being managed, and intends to request a joint portfolio committee meeting to call the PHA Board of Trustees to account for a projected R8.5m deficit for the upcoming financial year. This deficit is despite the inclusion of a R10m subsidy in the city's budget. The PHA is tasked with providing affordable housing to qualifying residents but continues to be marred by maladministration and a failure to fulfil its core mandate, according to Jacques Joubert, DA councillor on the finance and land use, spatial planning and LED portfolio committees. To exacerbate the situation, the PHA has failed to submit its Annual Financial Statements for the 2023/24 financial year within the legally prescribed time frame and regressed to a qualified finding. 'For far too long, the PHA executive management and board have relied on bailouts from the Polokwane Municipality, placing the financial burden squarely on the shoulders of the city's residents. This cannot be allowed to continue,' Joubert noted and added that currently, phase two of the Ga-Rena housing project at Ladanna which PHA is in charge of, remains mostly unoccupied, having stood vacant for many months – incurring substantial financial losses. According to Joubert, initial delays were due to backup water supply issues, followed by the painfully slow pace of tenant placement. 'Occupation of these units with qualifying residents will significantly help to address Polokwane's housing backlog and alleviate the escalating problem of illegal land use and unregulated backyard dwellings. Phase one also faces major issues and numerous units have been vandalised and are now uninhabitable. Furthermore, the project has been plagued by poor debt collection since inception. 'Without firm and effective leadership, this entity is on a continued path to inevitable failure,' Joubert said and added that transparency and accountability are at an all-time low. Monthly financial reports are not submitted to the housing portfolio committee, and no joint oversight meetings with the finance portfolio committee have taken place in over 18 months. Comment could not immediately be sourced from the Polokwane Municipality. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
10-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Rugby World Cup 1995 I Samoans break Andre Joubert's hand but not his Springbok spirit
Andre Joubert was nicknamed the 'Rolls Royce of fullbacks'. Photo: Independent Media Image: Independent Media 'Sometimes I could feel the bones moving but there was little pain.' Those were the understated words of Andre Joubert after he had miraculously played a 1995 Rugby World Cup final and semi-final with three broken bones in his left hand. Joubert's Springbok coach, Kitch Christie, put his modest fullback's achievement into a superman perspective. 'The guy is not human. I cannot believe such bravery,' said Christie. Typically, Christie was economical when it came to lavishing praise on his players in public, so that was a telling statement. Rugby World Cup 1995 | In retrospective Image: Independent Media Just seven days before the Boks' semi-final against France, the team had played a quarter-final against the rugged Samoans at Ellis Park. Ten minutes into the game, Joubert had run past wing George Harder. The wing had shot out a fist in frustration — straight into Joubert's left hand. Later, the severity of the injury would be revealed but, amazingly, Joubert had the hand strapped and continued playing, only to be laid out 10minutes later in a high and late tackle by Samoa fullback Mike Umaga. This time he came off. At 11pm that night Joubert had an operation to repair the shattered hand. Recovery from such an injury is usually seven weeks, but South Africa needed Joubert to play again in seven days. Joubert, at 31, was playing the best rugby of his career and was crucial to Springbok ambitions. To speed up recovery, and to give Joubert a chance of playing against France, doctors suggested that he have sessions in a decompression chamber, which simulates conditions deep under the sea. Wearing an oxygen mask, he would sit in the chamber for two-and-a-half-hour sessions (he had three of them that week). Joubert's teammate, Mark Andrews, spent two of the sessions with him. (Andrews had suffered a rib injury against the tough-tackling Samoans.) The two were able to chat to each other — albeit in amusingly high-pitched tones. It helped alleviate the crushing boredom. 'We sat in this steel cylinder for these lengthy sessions while they lowered the pressure and pumped in oxygen, which helped reduce the swelling,' Joubert recalled. 'It would have been quite an ordeal if I had not had that walking encyclopedia, Mark, along to keep me entertained. He talked, and I listened.' The treatment made a difference and when a special rubber sleeve was flown in from Ireland, Joubert was as good to go as could be expected. The reason the protective glove came from Ireland is that in their unique sport of hurling (a form of hockey) hands often get struck. After Joubert had completed his treatment in the hyperbaric chamber, he held a press conference. The SA Rugby Football Union CEO at that time, Edward Griffiths, told this amusing story: 'A smiling Joubert told reporters how he had been the equivalent of 14m below water but had seen no fish (Joubert is an avid fisherman). Two Japanese rugby writers earnestly recorded this marine observation in their notebooks.' Joubert duly took his place in the starting XV for the semi-final where his hand was tested repeatedly as the French hoisted the ball into the heavens on that rainy afternoon. He came through unscathed and went on to be rock solid for the Boks in the final. It was later that year that Joubert would be christened with his famous nickname, and fittingly it was at the home of rugby, Twickenham. England were still smarting from their early World Cup exit in South Africa and were hungry to prove themselves against the world champions. But on a crisp autumn afternoon, they had no counter to a Springbok team inspired by Joubert in a class of his own. He was elegance personified as he glided through the England defence. He was beautifully balanced under the high ball and never flustered. When the Boks had well-beaten their hosts, and Joubert had collected the Player of the Match award, Jack Rowell, the England coach, gave praise where it was due: 'Andre Joubert is the Rolls-Royce of fullbacks.' It may have taken an Englishman to coin a name that has stood the test of time, just like those magnificently crafted automobiles, but when it comes to South African rugby, there will always be only one Rolls-Royce. Mike Greenaway is the author of best-selling books The Fireside Springbok and Bok to Bok.
The Citizen
29-05-2025
- The Citizen
Lowveld murder: Accused out on strict bail conditions
The Mpumalanga Division of the High Court has granted bail to murder-accused Sonell Joubert, overturning the Tonga Magistrate's Court's earlier decision to deny her release. According to Lowvelder, Joubert (43) was granted bail of R15 000 with strict conditions in a judgment delivered today. She must attend all court appearances, report to the Tonga Police Station twice a week, notify authorities of any address changes, remain within the district unless permitted, and avoid contact with state witnesses. Should she fail to comply, a warrant for her arrest will be issued immediately, and her bail money will be forfeited to the state. Bail appeal reveals procedural concerns Joubert had appealed her bail refusal, initially denied on February 24. The appeal hearing, presided over by Justice J Vukeya last Thursday, revealed inconsistencies in documentation, leading the judge to request a supplementary affidavit from Joubert's legal representative, Adv Hennie van Rensburg. Judgment was reserved until today. Throughout the case, Joubert has changed attorneys multiple times, including appointing Johannesburg-based lawyer Marco Lamberti, who later withdrew due to non-payment. Details of fatal stabbing Joubert is accused of fatally stabbing Jurgens Nel at Lowhills Farm in the Nkomazi region in early February. On February 1, she approached the KaMhlushwa police, alleging Nel had violated a protection order she had instituted against him. That night, officers visited the farm but did not directly confront Nel, as Joubert and her life partner Johann Möller claimed he was armed and aggressive. According to Van Rensburg, officers remained at the premises from 22:00 to 02:00, observing Nel moving through the house, switching lights on and off. Two days later, on February 3, a group of eight officers, led by investigating officer Sergeant Bonginkosi Given Nguyuza, returned to Lowhills Farm. After retrieving the keys from Joubert and Möller, they entered the house and discovered Nel's body with six stab wounds to the upper body. When questioned, Joubert told police she had stabbed Nel during a fight, during which she sustained a minor cut below her left eye and another on her finger. She was arrested on February 4 and has been in custody since then. Questions over evidence The court raised concerns over the minor injuries Joubert sustained, as well as the missing murder weapon, casting doubt on her account. Additionally, it was revealed that Lowhills Farm had been sold at auction, leaving Joubert without a fixed residence. Joubert attempted to use her ownership of Tswale, a domesticated elephant valued at over R1m, as collateral in her bail argument. Nguyuza responded that he was unfamiliar with elephant auction prices. With strict bail conditions in place, Joubert will remain under close supervision as her case progresses. She is expected to return to court in June, when further evidence, including the post-mortem report and crime scene photo album, will be presented. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
