Justice, Crime Prevention and Security

26/02/2026

[MURDERER SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR THE MURDER OF HIS INFANT SON]

The High Court of South Africa, Mpumalanga Division, has sentenced 23-year-old murderer, Sibusiso Patrick Shongwe, to LIFE IMPRISONMENT for the murder of his three-week-old infant son in Driekoppies, within the Nkomazi District.

Shongwe was in a domestic relationship with the mother of the child, Noluthando Mlambo. According to evidence presented before the court, Shongwe denied paternity when informed of the pregnancy and had previously expressed that he did not want the child.

The incident occurred on 01 March 2023 when Shongwe contacted Mlambo and requested to meet her and the baby under the pretext of providing items for the child. They met on the street as arranged, accompanied by the child’s grandmother due to the late hour. Shongwe instructed the grandmother to leave, stating that he only wanted to speak to Mlambo and see the baby. Shortly thereafter, three unknown men accosted Mlambo, enabling Shongwe to take the infant and flee the scene. Mlambo immediately reported the incident to her family, and the matter was subsequently reported to the police. A search operation was launched for both the accused and the child. Two days later, the baby’s body was discovered in nearby bushes. Shongwe was later arrested in connection with the crime.

During the trial, Shongwe admitted that he had met Mlambo and the baby on the day in question but denied taking the child. However, State Advocate Senzo Zindela presented compelling evidence, including witness testimony and a confession statement. The deceased’s mother testified that Shongwe had urged her to terminate the pregnancy. A post-mortem report confirmed that the infant died because of sharp-force injuries to the neck.

In aggravation of sentence, Advocate Zindela addressed the prevalence of domestic violence in South Africa and emphasised the vulnerability of the victim. He submitted that the accused had shown no remorse and urged the court not to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence. The Victim Impact Report outlined the profound emotional trauma suffered by the family and the broader community.

In delivering the sentence, the presiding Judge remarked on the high levels of violent crime in the country, including domestic violence, and expressed concern about the apparent erosion of respect for human life. The court found no substantial and compelling circumstances warranting a deviation from the prescribed minimum sentence and accordingly imposed life imprisonment. Shongwe was further declared unfit to possess a firearm, and his application for leave to appeal was dismissed.

25/02/2026

20/02/2026

[MURDERER] The National Prosecuting Authority has argued that the High Court of South Africa, Western Cape Division, sentenced murderer, Ayanda Dayi, to five life sentences and seventy-five years direct imprisonment when it hands down a sentence next week following his conviction for a spree of gruesome crimes he committed. The circuit court sitting at the Wynberg Regional Court convicted Dayi on four counts of murder, one count of attempted murder, two counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances, a count of theft, three counts of illegal possession of fi****ms and three counts of illegal possession of ammunition.

This conviction follows a successful prosecution that was meticulously put together by Senior State Adv Esna Erasmus in collaboration with investigating officer Lieutenant Colonel Pretorius, who even used facial recognition technology to link the accused to these crimes. This case sent shock waves throughout the country after footage of three men in a Sasko bread truck was shot at point-blank range while delivering bread at a spaza shop in Symphony Way, Delft, on the morning of 16 May 2024.

Dayi’s spate of gruesome crimes started on Usasaza Street, Du Noon, on the evening of 24 January 2024, when he and an unknown man fatally shot Eric Yaphi and Elvis Thembelani Cwethiso and robbed them of the vehicle Cwethiso was driving. Police started their investigation and collected four cartridge casings at the scene. On 31 January 2024, police found the vehicle parked at Gushindoda informal settlement, Delft. The vehicle was locked, and they requested a towing service. When they returned, they found the accused with his stepson in the vehicle. The doors, bonnet and boot were open, and a firearm was on the front passenger seat. The accused escaped after throwing sand in the face of a pursuing police officer. Forensic investigation found that one of the bullets fired during the murders of Yaphi and Cwethiso was fired from the firearm seized from the vehicle. The other three came from a different firearm. Dyani’s fingerprints were also found on the vehicle.

Adv Erasmus also led evidence that on the morning of 16 May 2024, Aphiwe Nogaya and his two colleagues, Xolani Gaji and Cebisile Mfundiso, delivered bread at a spaza shop at the corner of Delft Main Road and Symphony Way. He and one of the deceased received money from the shop owner and returned to the truck. They handed the money to the driver, who started counting it as he had to drop it in the safe behind the front seats. The accused appeared in front of the truck, pointing a firearm at them. He then moved to the driver’s side and opened the driver’s door. At the same time, another man, now known as Soso, appeared at the passenger side with a firearm. They grabbed the money and a cellular phone. They also searched for fi****ms, whereafter they brazenly opened fire at the three occupants in the truck. A minimum of 8 shots from the two fi****ms were fired. Although injured, Nogaya survived the attack, was hospitalised and had to undergo surgery.

Surveillance footage, which formed part of the evidence, was played in court and handed in as evidence together with a still photograph. On 05 June 2024, Nogaya pointed out the accused in a photo parade and in court as the accused who stood in front of the truck and then went to the driver’s side. Adv Erasmus, also called Warrant Officer Keyser, a Forensic Analyst who specialises in facial identification, stationed at the South African Police Services Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC), confirmed through morphological analysis that the accused was the person who stood in front of the bread truck as depicted on the stills and surveillance footage.

Aggravating features are overwhelming. The interests of society, the gravity of the offences, and the protection of the public demand that the prescribed minimum sentences be imposed.

19/02/2026

[REMANDED IN CUSTODY FOR ALLEGED R800 000 FRAUD AGAINST BURIAL SOCIETY]

The Mthatha Serious Commercial Crime Investigation (SCCI) has arrested four accused Nandipha Mfoboza (52), Busisiwe Nondudule (52), Faniswa Nobambela (44) and Nommiselo Solani (47) in connection with allegations of fraud. The accused appeared before the Mthatha Specialised Commercial Crimes court on 18 February 2026, and they were remanded in custody to re-appear at the same court on 19 February 2026 for formal bail application.

The complainant acting on behalf of Thuso Fund Burial Society headquartered in Orkney, North West province, reported that during May 2025 the Head Office detected suspicious First National Bank (FNB) deposit slips, which were ostensibly submitted from its Eastern Cape branches. This prompted an internal audit process aimed at verifying the authenticity of the deposit documentation and reconciling the reflected amounts with the company’s official bank statements.

The matter was referred to the Hawks for an in-depth probe. The investigation revealed material discrepancies. Several deposit slips submitted under the Mthatha Main Branch were reportedly found to be fictitious. It is alleged that the amounts reflected therein did not correspond with any deposits recorded in the company’s bank account.

Preliminary findings allegedly pointed to deliberate misrepresentation and systematic manipulation of financial records. Further investigation alleged that through the submission of fictitious deposit slips, the accused misrepresented that funds had been deposited into the company’s account, thereby causing actual financial prejudice amounting to R800 000.

Subsequent investigations conducted by the Hawks identified four employees allegedly linked to the fraudulent scheme, which culminated in their arrest on 18 February 2026.

They made their first appearance on the same day, and their matter was postponed to 19 February 2026 for a formal bail application. All accused are remanded in custody.

18/02/2026

[THREE FARMERS CONVICTED OF MURDER OF A FARM DWELLER]

Three murderers, Jaco Wessels Kemp, Louise Coetzee , and Gert Frederik van der Westhuizen, all farmers, have been found guilty of the murder of Dumisani Phakathi, an adult male farm dweller.

On 16 September 2023, the three farmers, were having a braai at the chicken farm in Mamokgalieskraal. At approximately 16h00, they saw Phakathi walking past the farm gate on his way to collect water from a nearby furrow, which community members commonly used as a water source. The three approached him and assaulted him. They then dragged him into a storage facility inside the chicken farm, where the assault continued until he succumbed to his injuries.

In the early hours of 17 September 2023, at approximately 02h00, Kemp and Coetzee were stopped by police during a stop-and-search operation on the R511 towards Brits while driving a bakkie. The vehicle was loaded with black refuse bags. During the search, police noticed human legs protruding from underneath the bags. Upon further inspection, they discovered the bloodied body of the deceased, with his head covered in plastic. Kemp and Coetzee were immediately arrested at the scene.

Van der Westhuizen handed himself over to the police on 19 September 2023 after investigations linked him to the offence.

In court, all three accused pleaded not guilty to the charges and to shifted blame onto one another. However, the State Prosecutor, Advocate Lawrence More, presented compelling evidence through State witnesses, proving the State’s case beyond a reasonable doubt.

The matter has been postponed to 16 March 2026 for sentencing proceedings.

17/02/2026

[BRIGADIER GENERAL OF THE SANDF INTELLIGENCE APPEARS IN COURT ON CORRUPTION CHARGE]

A Brigadier General attached to the Intelligence Division of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), Johannes Prince Mkabela (53), appeared briefly before the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court, on a charge of corruption involving R1.5 million. It is alleged that on 13 February 2026, the accused met with an Investigating Officer who is investigating a case of intimidation against the accused.

During the meeting, the accused allegedly paid the Investigating Officer R50 000 as a deposit and promised to pay the outstanding balance by September 2026, in exchange for the investigating officer to destroy the case docket against him. Following the exchange, members of the Madlanga Commission Task Team arrested the accused.

The matter was postponed to 20 February 2026 for bail investigations.

16/02/2026

[FINAL SALUTE] The Gauteng Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Tommy Mthombeni, together with the Divisional Commissioners: Supply Chain Management, Lt Gen (Dr) Molefe Fani, and Human Resource Development: Lt Gen (Dr) Bongiwe Zulu, the SAPS Senior Management, Division: Crime Intelligence, and members of the Gauteng SAPS, yesterday attended and officiated the funeral service of the late Brigadier Sipho Duma, in Ennerdale.

We salute the late Brigadier Duma for his outstanding contributions in ensuring the safety and security of all people in South Africa. His service, dedication and commitment to duty will be remembered.

16/02/2026

[THREE ACCUSED APPEAR IN COURT FOR THE MURDER OF AN E-HAILING DRIVER]

Dikeledi Tears Mphala (24), Goitsione Machidi (25), and McClaren Mushwana (30), appeared in the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court, where they abandoned their bail application. They face charges of premeditated murder of a 23-year-old e-hailing driver, Isaac Satlat, as well as robbery with aggravating circumstances.

It is alleged that on 11 February 2026, the accused ordered e-hailing services using a mobile phone number that was not registered in their name. When the vehicle arrived, Mphala and an accomplice, who is still at large, got into the vehicle, while the other two accused followed in a separate car.

Mphala and her accomplice allegedly forced the deceased to stop the vehicle, strangled him to death and robbed him of his cellphone and vihicle which was later recovered. The incident was captured by a camera installed in the vehicle, and the footage was circulated on social media.

Investigations by the South African Police Service led to the arrest of Mphala on 13 February 2026. The other two accused were arrested on 15 February 2026. The matter was postponed to 23 February 2026 for further investigations.

13/02/2026

The Provincial Commissioner of KwaZulu-Natal Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi is leading a multidisciplinary operation which shut down the Dr Pixley kaSeme Street in the Point area of Durban on Friday night, 13 February 2026. The operation, which was conducted with officials from the Department of Home Affairs as well as inspectors from the Department of Employment and Labour, is focusing on suspect raids, illegal immigrants, liquor outlets inspections and stop and searches, with the main focus of illegal fi****ms and drugs.

10/02/2026

[NATJOINTS CONFIDENT THAT SECURITY MEASURES IN PLACE WILL DELIVER YET ANOTHER SAFE AND SECURE SONA]

The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) is confident that adequate and sufficient safety and security deployments are in place to ensure a peaceful, safe, and secure 2026 State of the Nation Address (SoNA).

Drawing on experience from numerous major national events successfully hosted across the country including previous SONA's, the NATJOINTS assures the nation that SoNA 2026 will proceed in a secure environment, supported by the cooperation of all attendees and key stakeholders.

NATJOINTS stakeholders continue to meet regularly in the build-up to SoNA 2026 to ensure the operational plan unfolds accordingly.

All role players have commenced with their respective responsibilities in line with their mandate with law enforcement agencies having mobilised the necessary resources to enhance police visibility to prevent and combat opportunistic crime before, during, and after the address.

Moreover, the City of Cape Town Traffic Services has already issued a road closure advisory to alert residents, spectators, and businesses in the vicinity of the Cape Town City Hall as a precautionary measure. Motorists are requested to please familiarise themselves with the list of road closures and plan their routes accordingly (resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Med…)

The NATJOINTS urges those without valid accreditation to avoid the area around the City Hall as any lawlessness, criminality, or behaviour that contravenes the law will be dealt with accordingly. No disruptions will be allowed and tolerated by law enforcement.

Furthermore, the NATJOINTS has also been securing the safety of attendees at the Investing in African Mining Indaba, which is currently underway without incident or disruptions.

The NATJOINTS is thus confident that Thursday evening’s address will take place with minimal to zero incidents.

Communities are reminded that the airspace around the City Hall will be restricted during the State of the Nation Address for both manned and unmanned aircrafts.

The airspace will be monitored by the Airspace security team to ensure a strictly no fly zone for drones.

Restricted Airspace of 1 nautical mile radius and altitude of Ground to 5000 feet will strictly be enforced, and transgressors will be charged for the violation of the Civil Aviation Regulations.

Restriction applies from 7am until 22:00 on 12 February 2026.

The Acting Minister of Police, Mr Firoz Cachalia together with Deputy Ministers, Dr Polly Boshielo, Mr Cassel Mathale and the National Commissioner of SAPS, General Fannie Masemola will on Thursday morning address members of various law enforcement agencies who will be deployed to secure the SONA at the Castle of Good Hope.

10/02/2026

[BAIL APPEAL DISMISSED] The Pretoria High Court has dismissed the bail appeal of International Pentecost Holiness Church leader, Bhekumuzi Mike Sandlana (64).

The appeal followed Sandlana’s unsuccessful bail application, which was dismissed by the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on 22 December 2025. Sandlana is facing 19 counts of corruption.

It is alleged that, between 2021 and 2022, Sandlana made payments totalling approximately R2.4 million into various bank accounts for the benefit of Judge Phahlane, with the intention that she preside over his ongoing civil matter in the High Court and rule in his favour.

In his bail appeal, Sandlana argued that the magistrate erred in finding that he failed to satisfy the court that the interests of justice permitted his release on bail. His legal team submitted that his possession of multiple identity documents resulted from attempts to correct administrative errors for which he was not responsible. They further argued that Sandlana was not a flight risk, citing his church, ownership of multiple properties, and strong ties to South Africa.

However, state advocates Phumla Dwane and Willem van Zyl opposed the appeal, arguing that Sandlana posed a flight risk due to his possession of multiple identity documents and his ability to travel outside the country without using a passport. They further submitted that Sandlana allegedly committed the offences while out on bail in another matter before the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court.

The High Court agreed with the State’s submissions and found that Sandlana failed to satisfy the court that his release on bail would be in the interests of justice. Consequently, the bail appeal was dismissed. The matter involving Sandlana and his four co-accused will return to the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on 06 March 2026.

09/02/2026

| The South African Police Service (SAPS) will this week lay to rest one of its senior managers, Brigadier Sipho M Duma. He passed away on the 3rd of February 2026. He was attached to the Gauteng Crime Intelligence responsible for District Coordination and Covert Operations. May his departed soul rest in eternal peace.