Children take concerns to ConCourt
JOHANNESBURG - Children have taken their concerns over abuse to the Constitutional Court.
They are demanding tougher laws to better protect them.
Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi says the Criminal Procedures Act must be changed.
She will discuss this with Judge President Mandisa Maya.
Kubayi admits to shortcomings in the criminal justice system that she hopes policy amendments will address.
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The Herald
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Former constable sentenced to six years for corruption
The Kuruman regional court in the Northern Cape on Friday sentenced former police constable Johannes Shuping to six years' imprisonment after convicting him of corruption. The conviction on two counts of corruption involved R10,000 that Shuping solicited from a member of the public. 'The charges relate to a 2018 incident in which Shuping, then a detective at Kathu police station, rearrested the complainant, Buti Moepadira, despite the case already being before the court,' National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane said. After his arrest, Shuping offered to 'make the docket disappear' in exchange for a payment of R11,000. 'Moepadira, who was detained at Kathu police station due to a lack of accommodation in Kuruman, was allowed by Shuping to use his cellphone to arrange the payment. A R6,000 cash payment was delivered to the accused by the complainant's brother.' Shuping continued to demand the outstanding R5,000, prompting Moepadira to report the matter to the Hawks. 'A sting operation was then conducted using marked banknotes provided by the investigating officer. During the operation, the complainant's brother handed over the remaining R4,000 to the accused. Shuping fled the scene but was arrested a week later at his workplace.' At the time of his arrest, he was found in possession of marked R200 notes, which matched the serial numbers recorded during the operation. Prosecutor Kagontle Redemption Barnett took over the case after the original prosecutor was appointed to the bench. In aggravation of sentence, she argued that Shuping had grossly abused his position of authority and violated public trust. As a law enforcement officer, he was duty-bound to uphold the law, but instead chose to betray his oath and the constitution. Barnett emphasised that a strong sentence would deter similar conduct and reinforce public confidence in the criminal justice system. The court concurred and sentenced Shuping to six years' imprisonment on each count, with the sentences ordered to run concurrently. 'The NPA welcomes the conviction and sentence. This outcome reaffirms that no one is above the law and underscores the importance of protecting the integrity of the criminal justice system by holding those who abuse their power accountable,' Senokoatsane said. TimesLIVE
Eyewitness News
a day ago
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'Cradock Four' inquest: Son of Calata drops bombshell that his dad died for his activism
JOHANNESBURG - The son of slain apartheid activist Fort Calata has testified before an inquest that he was told by a senior government official that his father's case was part of the price that had to be paid during negotiations for South Africa's freedom. The Cradock inquest is on its fifth day in the Gqeberha High Court, and Lukhanyo Calata is on the witness stand. The inquiry is to establish whether the apartheid security branch police or any other people can be held liable for the deaths of the anti-apartheid activists. Fort Calata, Matthew Goniwe, Sicelo Mhlauli and Sparrow Mkhonto were abducted and assassinated by police in 1985. IN PICS: Gqeberha High Court Judge visits key locations linked to lives of 'Cradock Four' It's a widespread rumour that the negotiators of South Africa's freedom in the run-up to democracy may have agreed to certain conditions that have led to most black South Africans remaining disadvantaged, and the perpetrators of apartheid crimes being let off the hook. But on Friday, in the 'Cradock Four' inquest, the son of Calata, Lukhanyo, told the Gqeberha High Court of a conversation he had with the Deputy Minister of Justice, John Jeffrey, in 2017. 'The deputy minister said you know the issues of the TRC [Truth and Reconciliation Commission], including the 'Cradock Four' matter, was part of the price that had to be paid for the negotiation settlement. When he said that my blood was boiling, because what did he mean that this was part of the price that had to be paid?' Calata said his family was not willing to accept that his father was used by politicians as a pawn in some kind of negotiation game. ALSO READ: Judge visits locations related to killings of Cradock Four
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2 days ago
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Judge asked to retract generalised race-based remarks
Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng has been urged to withdraw his 'unfortunate' remarks directed at a defence lawyer. The chairperson of the parliamentary justice portfolio committee Xola Nqola said the comments border on racism. 'We want to strongly condemn the totally unacceptable utterances. The incompetence or behaviour of legal practitioners has nothing to do with race, as he has alluded to in court. The remarks are extremely unfortunately and a gross generalisation.' The presiding judge in the long-running trial of five men accused of the murder of footballer Senzo Meyiwa was referring to the message, sent to his registrar, indicating the absence of the legal representative of two of the accused in court on Monday. Advocate Charles Mnisi said he would be running the Comrades Marathon on Sunday and would only drive back to Gauteng the next day. Mokgoatlheng then said: 'This is South Africa run by blacks. I don't think a white advocate would have had the gall to ask me that.' Nqola said: 'While we understand the frustration of the judge, families and accused with the duration of the trial, it is totally unacceptable to imply black legal professionals act unprofessionally compared to their white counterparts. We urge him to refrain from such gross generalisations. Furthermore, we demand judge Mokgoatlheng withdraws his comments and apologises to the nation.' A year ago the judge apologised for another outburst. Defence lawyer Thulani Mngomezulu had failed to pitch at the high court in Pretoria court on that day and also failed to formally communicate with the court about his absence. This prompted Mokgoatlheng's reaction: 'Is this how black lawyers behave, some of them?' Mokgoatlheng soon tendered an apology, saying: 'On reflection and after some thought, I admit my comments could be interpreted as intemperate, ill-advised, ill-considered or offensive, and if that is the perception, then I want to state I unreservedly withdraw the comments.' TimesLIVE
