Latest news with #NelspruitMagistrate'sCourt
The Citizen
a day ago
- The Citizen
Husband accused of Mbombela doctor's murder received R1.5m in insurance payout
Murder-accused Sifiso Vusimuzi Sibanyoni (39) received over R1.5m in a life insurance payout following the death of his estranged wife, Dr Nondumiso Nkosi-Sibanyoni, who was shot in November last year. The Nelspruit Magistrate's Court heard on Tuesday that Sibanyoni, who is charged with conspiracy to commit murder and premeditated murder, was the beneficiary of a life insurance policy he had taken out on her. Constable Sindisiwe Precious Nyaka, from the SAPS Organised Crime Unit, testified that she is the investigating officer assigned to the case. ALSO READ: Mbombela: SAPS and private security collaborate to rescue kidnapped mother and child 'The accused received over R1.5m from the life cover on March 20 this year. There is additional money he also received, but I do not have the exact figure with me,' Nyaka said. She opposed bail, stating that Sibanyoni was capable of anything, having allegedly hired hitmen to murder his wife. She added that state witnesses feared for their safety. 'The accused knows my witnesses. He may interfere with the ongoing investigation, and I believe he is likely to evade trial. The case is very serious, and the accused is fully aware that the minimum sentence for the charge of femicide is life imprisonment,' she told the court. Nyaka said that another suspect, believed to have fired the fatal shot that killed Nkosi-Sibanyoni, remains at large. The shooting occurred in the parking lot of Virgin Active Gym in Riverside at around 05:20 on November 20 last year. ALSO READ: Mhala Driver's License Testing Centre closed due to robbery, offices closed Following eight months of investigation, Sibanyoni was arrested on Tuesday, July 8. When the court asked Nyaka why it took so long to arrest him, she replied that there had been investigative loose ends that needed to be tied up. She outlined that Sibanyoni had approached one of her witnesses and told him that he wanted muthi to kill his wife because she had filed for a divorce and wanted half of his assets. Protesters support the victim's family outside the Nelspruit Magistrate's CourtHe and the witness then allegedly met with another two men, who he was told were capable of killing his wife. Nyaka said he disclosed his plan to kill his wife to the two men, saying that she was a nuisance. She further told the court that the group drove to Mbombela in two vehicles and stopped at the Sonpark Shopping Centre, where Sibanyoni's car was left. 'He got into the other car, leaving his own behind because it was well known. He took the group to the victim's uncle's home to point out where she was staying. He then told the group that she always went to the gym before work at 05:00 and showed them her photo on his phone,' said Nyaka. She added that during negotiations with the accused, the supposed hitmen demanded payment upfront. The accused told the witnesses he had previously paid R70 000 to other hitmen to kill his wife, but they disappeared with the money. That's why he insisted she be killed before any payment was made,' said Nyaka. Sibanyoni's lawyer read his affidavit into the record, stating he was asleep at home when his wife was killed. An affidavit by his girlfriend, Thuli Zanele Shangase, supported this alibi, indicating that he was not present at the scene of the murder. 'On November 19 last year I was sleeping next to my partner. I have personal knowledge that he never left the house until people came to tell him the following morning that his wife had been killed,' the affidavit read. Sibanyoni's lawyer maintained that there was no identity parade to point out the accused as the person who killed the victim, and that there was no footage placing him at the crime scene. 'The accused denies his involvement in the murder and can afford R2 000 bail,' said Sibanyoni's lawyer. He was remanded in custody until Wednesday, July 23, for the continuation of the bail hearing. The victim's mother, Busisiwe Mazibuko, said she was pleased that the police had finally made an arrest, saying that it would bring the family some closure. The court noted that there were protesters outside the building calling for the accused to be denied bail. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
5 days ago
- IOL News
Wildlife crime: Hawks seize vehicle and arrest man for selling barn owls in a mall
A man will appear before the Nelspruit Magistrate's Court, facing charges under the Mpumalanga Nature Conservation Act, and keeping or conveyance of live game. Image: Hawks A 48-year-old man was arrested by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, also known as the Hawks, in Nelspruit, after he was found selling barn owls. The vehicle, a Nissan bakkie, used to transport the nocturnal birds was also seized by the Hawks during the arrest on Monday. 'The suspect was arrested after he was found selling wildlife. He was found in one of the shopping complexes in Nelspruit for allegedly selling four barn owls for R1,000 each,' said Mpumalanga provincial Hawks spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi. The Hawks were alerted by the Parks Board officials, and a joint operation was conducted, where the suspect was caught red-handed with the owls, without a permit. 'The vehicle, a Nissan light delivery vehicle that was used to transport the wildlife, was seized, and the animals were handed over to Parks Board,' said Nkosi. The arrested man is on Tuesday expected to appear before Nelspruit Magistrate's Court, facing charges under the Mpumalanga Nature Conservation Act, and keeping or conveyance of live game. 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 Meanwhile, acting Mpumalanga provincial head of the Hawks, Brigadier Danie Hall, has welcomed the arrest, adding that wildlife is part of South Africa's heritage, which must be protected. Hall has urged community members to report incidents of where wildlife is being illegally sold. 'When we take care of our wildlife, we safeguard our heritage for future generations," he said. Last year, IOL reported that a 59-year-old man, Neo Tongwane, lost his Mercedes-Benz to the State after he was arrested by law enforcement agents in Northern Cape for possession and attempting to sell a pangolin. The Hawks and the Asset Forfeiture Unit of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) had applied for the final forfeiture order and they succeeded, when the forfeiture order was granted by the High Court in Kimberley. 'This comes after the accused was arrested in July 2023 during an intelligence-driven operation by members of Kuruman serious organised crime investigation and Tactical Response Team (TRT). A buy and bust operation was conducted in Kuruman whereby four suspects were arrested for illegal dealing in an endangered species, the pangolin,' Hawks spokesperson in Northern Cape, Warrant Officer Nomthandazo Mnisi said at the time. 'The matter was referred to the National Prosecuting Authority's Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) for a detailed asset forfeiture investigation. A final forfeiture order was granted for a Mercedes-Benz, with an estimated value of R150,000.' IOL News
The Citizen
09-07-2025
- The Citizen
Man arrested months after fatal shooting of Mbombela doctor outside gym
A man (39) was arrested on Tuesday in connection with the fatal shooting of Dr Nondumiso Sibanyoni (34) from Mbombela. Sibanyoni was killed on November 20, 2024. The suspect is expected to appear in the Nelspruit Magistrate's Court on Thursday to face a murder charge, Mpumalanga News reports. The Mpumalanga police spokesperson, Brigadier Donald Mdhluli, said Sibanyoni was fatally shot at around 06:00 on the said date. 'She was walking towards the gym after parking her car at the parking lot of Virgin Active Riverside. A Toyota Starlet drove towards her, and a gunman exited the vehicle and shot her three times before fleeing the scene. Nothing was stolen from the victim,' Mdhluli said. The police and paramedics responded to the scene. Sibanyoni was lying on the ground outside her car and was declared dead by the medical personnel. Mdhluli confirmed that the case was handed over to the provincial murder and robbery unit in Mpumalanga, which successfully investigated the matter as a gender-based violence and femicide case, leading to the current arrest. The police have indicated that they cannot rule out the possibility of further arrests as the investigation remains ongoing. 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
14-06-2025
- The Citizen
3 cops charged for defeating the ends of Justice
3 cops charged for defeating the ends of Justice Three police officers from White River Police Station appeared in the Nelspruit Magistrate's Court on Thursday on charges of defeating the ends of justice. Sergeants Jabulani Wisdom Mbuyane (43), Solomon Mebo (49) and Constable Levandre LaReservee (32) were arrested following a tip-off regarding police involvement in the illegal transportation of drugs. ALSO READ: KZN police commissioner calls on youth to serve on force National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson for Mpumalanga, Monica Nyuswa said on Tuesday that law enforcement officials acted on information regarding a police vehicle escorting another vehicle that was allegedly transporting dagga along the N4 near the Matsulu T-junction. 'The police intercepted both cars matching the description. Upon searching, they discovered over 100 bags of dagga. 'The accused officers were on duty, in full uniform, and driving a marked police vehicle at the time of the incident. 'All three officers were granted bail of R1 500 each,' she said, adding that the case has been postponed to 25 July for further investigation. Joseph Joel Mamba (44) and Monica Zwane (34), suspected of transporting the dagga, appeared before the same court on charges of dealing in drugs. 'They have been remanded in custody, and their case has been postponed to Tuesday for a formal bail application,' said Nyuswa. Don't have the ZO app? Download it to your Android or Apple device here: HAVE YOUR SAY Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter. For news straight to your phone invite us: WhatsApp – 060 784 2695 Instagram – zululand_observer At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
13-06-2025
- The Citizen
UPDATE: Three policemen appear in court for allegedly escorting vehicle transporting dagga
UPDATE: Three policemen appear in court for allegedly escorting vehicle transporting dagga The three Flying Squad cops, Sergeant Solomon Mebo (49), Sergeant Jabulane Mbuyane (43) and Constable Lavandre LaReservee (32), who were arrested yesterday for allegedly escorting a vehicle transporting dagga on the N4, appeared in the Nelspruit Magistrate's Court today. They they were charged with defeating the ends of justice. They were granted bail of R1 500 each. Their next court appearance is scheduled for July 25. Other related charges could be added as the investigation progresses. ALSO READ: Three cops among five arrested in drug bust on N4 The two occupants of the vehicle, Joel Mamba (44) and Monica Zwane (34), are facing separate charges of dealing in dagga and will appear in court on June 17 for their bail application. They were caught allegedly transporting more than a 100 bags of dagga in a Toyota Corolla, while allegedly being escorted by the three policemen on the N4 near the Matsulu T-junction. ALSO READ: Two men arrested for possession of dagga of more than R4.7m Lowvelder will inform its readers of the outcome of the upcoming court appearances. 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
