Latest news with #NPA
The Citizen
3 hours ago
- The Citizen
Former attorney convicted of stealing RAF payouts
A former attorney has been convicted on four counts of theft by the Mpumalanga Specialised Commercial Crimes Court after defrauding clients of their Road Accident Fund (RAF) claims. According to the NPA, Mantladi Jo-Anne Mmela, committed the crimes when she was practising as a sole practitioner between June 2019 and March 2022. 'The accused lodged claims against the RAF on behalf of her clients, which were subsequently paid out. The money was paid by the RAF into the trust account of Mmela Incorporated Attorneys for the benefit of her clients, totalling an amount of over R4.1m. 'The incident came to light after one of the victims reported that Mmela failed to pay her. An investigation ensued and led to the arrest of the accused in 2022,' the NPA said in a statement. Mmela was subsequently granted bail. However, after absconding, she was re-arrested and remained in custody. 'During trial, the accused pleaded not guilty, and Senior State Advocate Henry Nxumalo presented evidence of the witnesses to prove the allegations levelled against her. The accused was convicted on four counts of theft, and the matter was postponed to August 21 for sentencing in the same court. 'The NPA welcomes the conviction as a significant step in the fight against the theft of trust monies by attorneys as breach of trust, more so the victims of motor vehicle accidents. The collaboration against fighting such crimes yielded positive results in this matter. 'The NPA remains committed to fighting financial crimes and ensuring that those who deprive claimants of their monies are prosecuted,' the NPA said. – At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The South African
6 hours ago
- The South African
Zimbabwean man gets 50 years for armed robbery, kidnapping
The Booysens Magistrate's Court has sentenced 30-year-old Zimbabwean national Nxinxi Tshabalala to 50 years in prison for hijacking, robbery, kidnapping, and unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition. The Booysens Magistrates' Court convicted Tshabalala on Friday, 27 June, after he terrorised a family during a home invasion in Johannesburg. The court heard that Tshabalala entered the home while the complainant's wife, 16-year-old son, 12-year-old son, and four-year-old daughter were inside. He demanded money while pointing a firearm at the youngest child. After Tshabalala fled with four stolen cellphones, the complainant used a nearby shop's services to trace one of the phones. Police assisted in locating the suspect at an address where they recovered the stolen devices and subsequently arrested him. During sentencing, regional court prosecutor Licel Hlungwane called for a strong punishment to deter similar violent crimes, while the defence pleaded for leniency, citing Tshabalala's circumstances. However, the court rejected the plea and handed down a cumulative sentence of 50 years. 20 years for robbery, 10 years for kidnapping. 15 years for possession of a firearm, and five years for possession of ammunition. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane welcomed the outcome and praised the work of the investigating team and the prosecution. She said the sentence reflected the seriousness of the crime and reaffirmed the NPA's commitment to justice and community safety. 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 Citizen
6 hours ago
- The Citizen
Man jailed for 23 years after raping traditional healer in Mpumalanga
The Nelspruit Regional Court on Friday sentenced a 37-year-old man to 23 years' direct imprisonment for raping a traditional healer, Lowvelder reports. NPA spokesperson Monica Nyuswa said the victim and the accused cannot be named to protect the identity of a minor child involved in the incident. According to reports, in early June, 2019, the accused went to the complainant's home in Zwelisha Trust outside Mbombela, carrying a firearm, and gained entry by pretending to need treatment. 'Once in the house, the accused locked the door and proceeded to rape the victim in the presence of her three-year-old son. He then threatened to kill her and her son should she report the rape to anyone. The victim confided in her sister and later reported the incident to the police,' said Nyuswa. The accused pleaded not guilty, claiming he was in a relationship with the victim. To prove the state's case beyond reasonable doubt, regional court prosecutor Leana Jones presented compelling evidence from the victim's sister, which was corroborated by the victim. It also emerged during the trial that the accused was known for being violent. 'Jones emphasised that women should not be reduced to mere objects and condemned to the persistent violence they face in South Africa. She added that the accused showed no remorse for his actions, describing them as a heinous violation of human dignity, and urged the court to impose a suitable sentence,' said Nyuswa. She added that the NPA calls on South Africans to unite against gender-based violence and to foster safe environments where women and children can thrive without fear. The NPA says it remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring justice for victims of gender-based violence. 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!
The Citizen
8 hours ago
- The Citizen
Zimbabwean national sentenced to 50 years in jail for kidnapping
Nxinxi Tshabalala appeared in the Booysens Magistrates' Court where the sentence was handed down. A 30-year-old Zimbabwean man has been handed a lengthy prison sentence for hijacking, robbery, kidnapping and possession of a firearm and ammunition Nxinxi Tshabalala appeared in the Booysens Magistrates' Court on Friday, where the sentence was handed down. Robbery Tshabalala's victims reported the incident, prompting an investigation led by Sergeant Billy Letsoalo from the Johannesburg Trio Crimes Unit. The court heard that when they arrived in the house, the complainant's wife, 16-year-old son, 12-year-old son, and four-year-old daughter were inside the house, when the Tshabalala demanded money from the family whilst pointing the gun at the four-year-old child. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said Tshabalala was told there is no money. 'Four cellphones were then stolen. After the robbery, the complainant went to a nearby shop to track his stolen cellphone, and the police assisted him. The tracking led the police to an address where the accused was found in possession of the stolen cellphones'. ALSO READ: Kidnapped Kamogelo Baukudi found alive Sentence Mjonondwane said regional court prosecutor, Licel Hlungwane, argued for a harsher sentence to deter similar crimes, while the defence requested leniency due to the accused's personal circumstances. 'The court ultimately sentenced Tshabalala to a total of 50 years in prison, 20 years for robbery, 10 years for kidnapping, 15 years for possession of a firearm and five years for possession of ammunition. 'The NPA daily prosecutes hundreds of such matters that affect the safety and well-being of our communities and ensures justice for victims of crime. Well done to the prosecutor, Licel Hlungwane,' Mjonondwane said. Sangoma abandons bail Earlier this week, a 50-year-old undocumented Lesotho national and sangoma facing a slew of charges abandoned his bail bid. Sangoma, Sebokoana Khounyana, appeared in the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate's Court on Wednesday. Khounyana is facing charges of premeditated murder, human trafficking of a 2-year-old baby, Kutlwano Shalaba and being illegal in the country. His co-accused, the mother of the child, 32-year-old Kuneuwe Portia Shalaba, is facing charges of premeditated murder, human trafficking, conspiracy to commit robbery and making a false statement to the police. It is alleged that on 10 November 2024, Shalaba's mother, Keneuwe, took the two-year-old to Khounyane and requested him to kill her child because she was not happy with the child's gender and was tired of hiding it from her family that the child was a girl. ALSO READ: Kidnapped Gqeberha woman Lindsay Knowlden reunited with family
TimesLIVE
18 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
Crime intelligence boss and co-accused granted bail
The head of crime intelligence, Lt-Gen Dumisani Khumalo, together with some of his co-accused were each granted R10,000 bail by the Pretoria magistrate's court on Friday. They are facing charges of fraud and corruption relating to the appointment of an unqualified civilian in a senior post in the SAPS. Their court appearance follows their arrest on Thursday by the NPA's Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC). Khumalo is charged together with Maj-Gen Philani Lushaba (CFO at crime intelligence), Maj-Gen Nosipho Precious Madondo (component head of intelligence analysis and co-ordination), Maj-Gen Josias Lekalaka (Gauteng provincial head: crime intelligence), Maj-Gen Zwelithini Gabela (technical management services), Brig Phindile Ncube (section head: personnel security — vetting) and Brig Dineo Mokwele. Their charges relate to the alleged irregular employment of Mokwele in a senior ranking position of brigadier in the technical support services (TSS). According to Investigative Directorate spokesperson Henry Mamothame, it is alleged that Khumalo acting in common purpose with his co-accused were involved in the irregular appointment of Mokwele. 'They are further accused of flouting the vetting process which is critical in the appointment of senior officials within the SAPS, particularly the crime intelligence division which deals with sensitive and confidential information. This case forms part of IDAC's broader mandate of investigating fraud and corruption within government entities to prevent state capture through these critical entities,' Mamothame said. Khumalo, Madondo, Lekalakala, Gabela, Ncube and Mokwele were granted R10 000 bail. They were ordered not to enter any premises of crime intelligence. Mamothame said Lushaba will remain in custody as his matter is a schedule 6 criminal offence, owing to his pending case, and this did not reflect in his affidavit presented to the court for the bail application. The case has been postponed to August 13 for disclosure of the docket.
