Independent Police Investigative Directorate

03/06/2026

IPID welcomes life sentence imposed on former Hazyview Public Order Policing Unit Constable, Lucky Sandile Maduna (34), for stabbing his wife, Nonkululeko Mtsweni (29) to death and additional 10 years for attempted murder of Mtsweni's friend, Veronica Sithole (27).

Maduna and the victims were attending a birthday party at Zethu Bar Lounge in Barbeton when an argument ensued between Maduna and Mtsweni. Maduna stabbed Mtsweni with a broken bottle, and in a fit of rage bashed Sithole's head against the wall and stabbed her on the neck with a broken bottle.

Mtsweni was certified dead at the scene and Sithole was sent to hospital for medical attention. Maduna pleaded guilty and he was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder and 10 years for attempted murder.

He will effectively serve life in prison after the court ordered that the sentences should run concurrently. The court also declared him unfit to possess a firearm.

The family of Nonkululeko Mtsweni has expressed gratitude to IPID for the manner in which they handled the case as well as keeping them abreast of developments.

28/05/2026

38-year-old Seargent Zamikhaya Mqolo, linked to Mthatha National Intervention Unit, was on 27 May 2026, granted R3 000 bail for allegedly killing Bude Phuka (37), and burning his body on 2 May 2026 in Indwe near Queenstown.

Phuka's girlfriend alleges that she was with Phuka at a local liquor establishment, when Sergeant Mqolo, who is her ex-partner, and was off duty, had an argument with Phuka and started assaulting him.

She tried to intervene but was overpowered by Sergeant Mqolo. Phuka decided to leave the liquor establishment in his car. However, Sergeant Mqolo pursued him in his car.

The following day, 03 May 2026, Phuka's charred body was found inside his burnt vehicle on the R56 outside Indwe. R5 cartridges were collected from the scene.

As part of its investigation, IPID had to collect DNA samples from the family of Phuka to verify if the charred remains were indeed his.

The family has been kept abreast of all developments in the matter, and have expressed their gratitude to IPID for the speedy finalisation of the DNA analysis.

The case has been remanded to 29 July 2026 for further investigations.

26/05/2026

The case against nine Bultfontein Police Officers was earlier today transferred to the Free State High Court that will be sitting in Welkom, to 20 July 2026, for a pre-trial conference. The police officers were arrested for an incident that happened in Phahameng township on Sunday, 22 September 2024.

It is alleged that the police officers from POP unit responded to a call of a domestic dispute, where family members were involved in a fight. Family members allegedly locked themselves inside the house, and barricaded all access points, when the police tried to apprehend them.

The police officers allegedly executed tactical entry into the house during which they discharged their fi****ms. Three family members, Mmota Maleka (36), Lobisa Maleka (28), and Andries Maleka (30), together with Constable Mojalefa Borole (30), died from gunshot wounds.

Sergeants Edward Mokake (45), Shadrack Kabuza (45), and Tseliso Mohoboko (44), together with Constables, Johannes Mohau (30), David Mofothi (31), Lebohang Senxesi (34), Ikaneng Maropeng (42), Teboho Monaune (37), and Lehlohonolo Morapedi are facing four counts of murder.

25/05/2026

Former Police Officer, Paul Pitso from Colesberg was handed a wholly suspended sentence for corruption and drug trafficking. He was sentenced to five years for corruption and four years for drug trafficking for an incident that happened on 28 July 2016.

Pitso stopped and searched a vehicle on the N1 near Colesberg and found 35kg of cannabis. He attempted to solicit a bribe of R4000 from the driver but the driver reported the incident to the police. He was declared unfit to possess a firearm and dismissed from the SAPS in 2017.

24/05/2026

IPID welcomes a sentence of life imprisonment imposed on Sergeant Mbuyiseni Gema (48) from Ixopo SAPS for murder of his heavily pregnant girlfriend.

On 13 August 2023, Sergeant Gema called his girfriend, Mathembi Ngubo (35), and told her he is coming to see her. He arrived in a marked police vehicle, and Ngubo informed her family that she is stepping out to see Sergeant Gema.

Gema drove with her for about 1.4km and stopped on the side of the road in a secluded area. He strangled her to death, and dumped her body, which was found the following day. Ngubo was pregnant with triplets and due to deliver the following day.

Sergeant Gema wanted Ngubo to terminate her pregnancy during the early stages of her pregnancy, and she refused. The triplets died as a result of her death.

Sergeant Gema was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.

20/05/2026

IPID welcomes the sentences imposed on two Honeydew Police Constables accused of assault GBH and murder at the Honeydew Police Cells in October 2019.

43-year-old Constable Rudzani Ernest Marumo and 32-year-old Thabang Gerald Makgotla were each handed down a 14-year direct imprisonment sentence for the murder of Thando Gazu, a 40-year-old African male and 3 years for the assault.

It is alleged that Thando Gazu, died after being assaulted and tortured inside the holding cells at Honeydew Police Station while his friend, Msizi Memela was assaulted by the pair. Thando Gazu was certified dead whilst still in custody.

The accused police officials were arrested by IPID in 2019. The matter was subsequently transferred to the South Gauteng High Court for trial where both were convicted on charges of murder and assault GBH.

The 14-year and 3 - year sentences for each accused officer will run concurrently.

Both officers were also declared unfit to possess a firearm by the South Gauteng High Court on 18 May 2026.

IPID investigations are premised on thoroughness and quality. As at end March 2026, IPID secured 26 convictions for murder by police officers while more than 179 murder cases were on the court rolls.

18/05/2026

15/05/2026

IPID welcomes the sentencing of a KZN Police Constable to life imprisonment for the murder of his wife by the KZN High Court. 41-year-old Constable Qinisi Thulasizwe Sishi killed his wife, 48-year-old Thandokuhle Verontter Sishi during a domestic dispute on 26 July last year.

On the day of the incident, Sishi, who was off duty, arrived home at around 00h30, and went to the bedroom where his wife was sleeping. An argument ensued between Sishi and his wife, and the daughter heard her mother screaming for help. The daughter ran out calling for help.

The neighbours arrived and tried to intervene, but Sishi was violent and wanted to stab those who wanted to assist. The police arrived and arrested Sishi. The wife was certified dead.

IPID took over the investigation and Sishi pleaded guilty to a charge of murder on 17 March 2026, and the case was postponed for sentencing. Apart from life sentence, Sishi was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.

According to IPID 2024/2025 annual report, 22 police officers were sentenced to varying sentences for domestic violence related deaths in that financial year.

11/05/2026

A 34-year-old Police Constable stationed at Park Road Crime Intelligence was sentenced to five years for sexual assault of a 10-year-old girl. The sentence was wholly suspended.

The complainant was playing next door with her friends when her friend's father, who is a police officer, arrived home at around 18h15, on 06 December 2025.

The police constable got into the house, but after sometime, he came out and instructed the children to leave. He, however, told the complainant to stay behind. He sexually assauted her by touching her breasts and trying to slide his hand into her jeans.

The complainant informed her father what happened, and the incident was reported to IPID. The police constable was arrested and charged for sexual assault.

He pleaded guilty, and he was sentenced to five years which was wholly suspended. The court also ordered that his name should be included in the National Register for S*x Offenders. He was also declared unfit to work with children in terms of Section 120 of the Children's Act 38 of 2005.

08/05/2026

Constable TD Mohoboko (42) from Bultfontein SAPS was sentenced to six months imprisonment or a fine of R6000 by the local magistrate's court for Contravention of a Protection Order. Mohoboko's wife had a protection order against him, which stated that he must not insult and or threaten her.

On Monday, 09 January 2026, Constable Mohoboko arrived home at around 17h45, and threatened to burn the house down while she was inside.

The matter was reported to IPID for investigation, and Constable Mohoboko later pleaded guilty, and he was sentenced to six months imprisonment or a fine of R6000. R4000 was wholly suspended, and Constable Mohoboko is liable to pay a fine of R2000.