Latest news with #PrivateProsecutionUnit
The Citizen
18-07-2025
- The Citizen
Soccer star's 'special treatment' after deadly crash concerns mom
The soccer star's luxury car crashed into another, in an accident that killed the young child and injured another 13-year-old in Tembisa. The mother of a nine-year-old child who was killed in an accident allegedly caused by Sekhukhune United soccer star Shaune Mogaila says she's tired of the delays in the case against him and has turned to AfriForum's Private Prosecution Unit for help. The accident occurred in October last year along Andrew Mapheto Road in Tembisa, where Mogaila's BMW M2 collided with a Hyundai Grand i10. Accident The crash tragically claimed the life of Gomolemo Mavimbela-Kekana. The nine-year-old's mother, Keo Mavimbela-Kekana, and 13-year-old Thando Khethiwa, the son of Mavimbela's friend, sustained critical injuries The Sekhukhune United winger allegedly fled the scene and handed himself over to the police later that day. He was granted bail of R20 000. The Ekurhuleni Metro Police reported that broken liquor bottles and a white substance they suspect was cocaine were found inside the BMW M2. The mother of 9-year-old child who was killed in an accident allegedly caused by Sekhukhune United soccer star Shaune Mogaila says she's tired of the delays in the case against him and has turned to AfriForum's Private Prosecution Unit for help. @TheCitizen_News July 18, 2025 ALSO READ: Case of Sekhukhune United soccer player delayed, as girl's uncle speaks of family's 'devastation' [VIDEO] 'Delays' AfriForum's Private Prosecution Unit, advocate Gerrie Nel, said that nine months later, despite dashcam video evidence of the crash, the matter continues to be postponed for further investigation. In correspondence with the Rabie Ridge police station commander, Nel asked for an update on the case. 'In our experience of other matters, it has become more and more evident that the Saps either lack the skills to investigate culpable homicide cases or consider them to be of lesser importance. Consequently, little is done to mitigate delays in the blood alcohol results, which have allowed cases to drag on until they are eventually struck off the roll. 'The trauma caused by this lingering case remains unhealthy for the victims, and our instructions are to not only obtain a status update but also to ensure that justice is served. To that end, we offer both our assistance and that of our client to ensure that the matter is postponed for trial and concluded without further undue delay., Nel said. The Citizen has contacted the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA)'s Lumka Mhanjana for comment. This will be included in the story when received. 'Justice' Mavimbela said all she wants is justice. 'I approached AfriForum because I feel like there's no progress in this case. I feel like there's a lot of runaround. And the only thing that I want is justice in this case. But the way things are going, it doesn't give any hope because the case has been postponed without a trial. 'It's always investigations, investigations based on the same reason, which is the blood results. I hope that AfriForum could help me reach justice for my daughter, myself and Thando,' she said. Keo Mavimbela, Adv. Gerrie Nel, and Carol Khethiwa after consulting at AfriForum's Private Prosecution Unit. 'Emotional burden' AfriForum's Private Prosecution Unit spokesperson Barry Bateman said the unit also represents Thando's mother, Carol Khethiwa. He said Keo and her family not only bear the emotional burden of this incident but also the physical and financial burden. 'While Keo walks with a severe limp after undergoing numerous surgeries to heal her body, which was crushed in the wreck that killed her daughter, the football player behind the wheel of the other car runs onto the pitch. 'We share Keo's concern that Mogaila may be given preferential treatment because of his status as a soccer player. AfriForum's Private Prosecution Unit was established to ensure that everyone is treated equally before the law, regardless of political or social status,' Bateman said. The matter is scheduled to return to the Tembisa Magistrates Court on 16 September 2025. ALSO READ: Sekhukhune United star to appear in court following crash that killed nine-year-old girl
The Citizen
09-05-2025
- The Citizen
TikTok user accused of Gold Reef City racism allegations makes first court appearance
On Wednesday, TikTok user Njabulo Madlanga made her first appearance in the Booysens Magistrate's Court in Johannesburg on charges of crimen injuria and the contravention of the Cyber Crimes Act. The case first made headlines in 2023 after an event at Gold Reef City, where Madlanga accused a group of young adults of being racist. AfriForum's Private Prosecution Unit represents the complainants, Reece Lopes, Milan Kruijer and Jude Fraser-Grant, who were targeted on social media after Madlanga shared TikTok posts, identifying them as the ones who purportedly were racist. In the posts, published on July 6, 2023, Madlanga claimed that while she and her siblings were waiting in a queue at Gold Reef City, the trio directed monkey sounds at them. The three deny doing so. In October 2023, the Private Prosecution Unit successfully applied for a protection order against Madlanga, prohibiting her from further harassing or enlisting the help of others to harass the complainants. The unit has previously stated publicly that false claims of racism should be dealt with as seriously as bona fide allegations of such discrimination. Madlanga has not denied publishing the posts or accusing the trio of racism. During the protection order hearing, she defended the posts and allegations as 'her truth'. Despite recording videos of the three people in the queue, she has not yet presented evidence to back up her accusations of racism made during the protection order hearing. In March this year, Madlanga's attorney, Rupert Candy, told Caxton Local Media that his client will appeal the March 2024 harassment judgment against her. He also provided an affidavit that denies she is guilty of any crimes. She further denies that her conduct was intended to cause serious injury to the dignity of the complainants. Yesterday, Candy commented on behalf of Madlanga and said: 'Unfortunately for the young complainants and their families, AfriForum appears less concerned about their complaints, and more on how they can score political points out of this. Our client is innocent of all charges, one of which relates to a common law offence that no longer exists in our law. 'Our client reserves her rights to lay counter charges of crimen injuria for the racism that she experienced by the complainants.' In a written reply, Candy said AfriForum has been engaged in repeated abuse of the justice system, both civil and criminal, in an effort to make an example of this young student, as a warning to all black South Africans that they must stop speaking out against racism. Candy noted that it was particularly telling that only their client's image appears on social media, suggesting an attempt to portray her as a criminal while the case is still before the courts. The matter was postponed to July 7 for the docket to be disclosed to the defence and for a trial date to be set. AfriForum helps principal accused of rape The AfriForum unit is also assisting Jaco Pieterse, the Bergview College principal, as he pursues criminal charges against several prominent figures for falsely accusing him of being a suspect in a child rape case. Barry Bateman, spokesperson for the unit, says being falsely accused of a crime can be devastating. 'Too often, people use social media to make false and unconfirmed allegations, fully aware that their claims will unquestionably be accepted as true. It elevates those individuals to the positions of judge, jury and executioner in their own cases. 'Justice will not be found in an environment where people prioritise clicks and likes over the truth.' He says the Madlanga case, as well as the Bergview College matter, must demonstrate that making false allegations against people has serious consequences. 'The courts must send a clear message that falsely accusing someone on social media of a crime they did not commit will not be tolerated, and the accusers will be held accountable,' concludes Bateman. 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. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
07-05-2025
- IOL News
TikTok user in court for crimen injuria after accusing three friends of racism
TikTok user Njabulo Madlanga appeared in the Booysens Magistrate's Court in Johannesburg on Wednesday where she is facing charges of crimen injuria and the contravention of the Cyber Crimes Act, for allegedly making false and defamatory allegations of racism. The charges come after three friends opened a crimen injuria case against Madlanga in August 2023 after she allegedly made false and damaging allegations of racism against them. AfriForum's Private Prosecution Unit is representing the three friends, Reece Lopes, Milan Kruijer and Jude Fraser-Grant. Madlanga accused them of racism in a TikTok post. The post has since been deleted from her account. In the posts, Madlanga claimed that while she and her siblings were waiting in a queue at Gold Reef City, the trio made monkey sounds directed at them, accusations which the trio denied. On 9 July, Kruijer sent a message to Madlanga in which he denied the allegation that he or his friends made any noises and further denied they were racist. He warned Madlanga that if she refuses to take down the posts, he will file a criminal complaint. Instead of taking down the post, Madlanga posted a screenshot of Kruijer's message, alleging she was being intimidated. In October 2023, the Private Prosecution Unit successfully applied for a protection order against Madlanga, prohibiting her from further harassing or enlisting the help of others to harass the complainants.
