Latest news with #Joubert
The Citizen
6 days ago
- The Citizen
Lowveld murder: Accused out on strict bail conditions
The Mpumalanga Division of the High Court has granted bail to murder-accused Sonell Joubert, overturning the Tonga Magistrate's Court's earlier decision to deny her release. According to Lowvelder, Joubert (43) was granted bail of R15 000 with strict conditions in a judgment delivered today. She must attend all court appearances, report to the Tonga Police Station twice a week, notify authorities of any address changes, remain within the district unless permitted, and avoid contact with state witnesses. Should she fail to comply, a warrant for her arrest will be issued immediately, and her bail money will be forfeited to the state. Bail appeal reveals procedural concerns Joubert had appealed her bail refusal, initially denied on February 24. The appeal hearing, presided over by Justice J Vukeya last Thursday, revealed inconsistencies in documentation, leading the judge to request a supplementary affidavit from Joubert's legal representative, Adv Hennie van Rensburg. Judgment was reserved until today. Throughout the case, Joubert has changed attorneys multiple times, including appointing Johannesburg-based lawyer Marco Lamberti, who later withdrew due to non-payment. Details of fatal stabbing Joubert is accused of fatally stabbing Jurgens Nel at Lowhills Farm in the Nkomazi region in early February. On February 1, she approached the KaMhlushwa police, alleging Nel had violated a protection order she had instituted against him. That night, officers visited the farm but did not directly confront Nel, as Joubert and her life partner Johann Möller claimed he was armed and aggressive. According to Van Rensburg, officers remained at the premises from 22:00 to 02:00, observing Nel moving through the house, switching lights on and off. Two days later, on February 3, a group of eight officers, led by investigating officer Sergeant Bonginkosi Given Nguyuza, returned to Lowhills Farm. After retrieving the keys from Joubert and Möller, they entered the house and discovered Nel's body with six stab wounds to the upper body. When questioned, Joubert told police she had stabbed Nel during a fight, during which she sustained a minor cut below her left eye and another on her finger. She was arrested on February 4 and has been in custody since then. Questions over evidence The court raised concerns over the minor injuries Joubert sustained, as well as the missing murder weapon, casting doubt on her account. Additionally, it was revealed that Lowhills Farm had been sold at auction, leaving Joubert without a fixed residence. Joubert attempted to use her ownership of Tswale, a domesticated elephant valued at over R1m, as collateral in her bail argument. Nguyuza responded that he was unfamiliar with elephant auction prices. With strict bail conditions in place, Joubert will remain under close supervision as her case progresses. She is expected to return to court in June, when further evidence, including the post-mortem report and crime scene photo album, will be presented. 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!
Al Etihad
13-05-2025
- General
- Al Etihad
Tracing Islam's legacy in African history at Louvre Abu Dhabi exhibition
13 May 2025 21:42 SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)An ongoing exhibition at Louvre Abu Dhabi brings to light how the influence of Islam had 'travelled' with trade and made its way to Africa through the display at the museum until June 8, the 'Kings and Queens of Africa: Forms and Figures of Power' exhibition offers a unique look at Africa's revered rulers, showcasing royal attire, sacred symbols, and their lasting cultural influence. One part of the showcase piques the interest of many - the segment that connects the Islamic world to Africa.Hélène Joubert, Conservateur général and Commissaire général of the exhibition, spoke to Aletihad about this significant segment."The sequence dedicated to Islam and sub-Saharan Africa is one among the 30 sequences which compose the whole storyline of the exhibition, which gathers 361 works in total illustrating this general theme centred around power in Africa from the 11th century AD to the 21st century," she exhibition - set up in collaboration with the Musée du quai Branly – Jacques Chirac - includes objects from West African Sahel regions that reflect connections between North African traditions and the Islamic world."The influence of Islam through centuries was notable concerning the preference for abstraction. Geometrical non-figurative but symbolic motifs have been created and have travelled along roads with trade," Joubert Islamic influence was also reflected in the creation of amulets, she said."References to the holy Quran occurred through a syncretic production of protective amulets made of leather or textile little bags containing written Quranic quotations. These amulets were worn on the body, especially during long-distance trips to fight against evil and bad luck."The exhibition also explores how Islam coexisted with indigenous traditions and political structures in West noted that "though this aspect of political and religious ambivalence mastered by the historical kings of Mali and Songhay, who reigned on very large groups of people having different cultural and religious traditions, were until recently overlooked by researchers."She further explained: "The conversion to Islam did not mean in Africa the vanishing of images."Joubert also highlighted the significance of Mali's historical kings in shaping the region's religious identity: "The kings of the ancient empire of Mâli were converted to Islam from its founder, Soundjata Keïta, at the beginning of the 13th century."Referencing how this legacy continues to inspire contemporary art, she added: "This extraordinary event [Mansa Musa's pilgrimage] was transmitted in a very large extent at the time and the image of the king appears in the Catalan Atlas of French king Charles V made in 1375: a copy of this representation has been used by the contemporary artist Abdoulaye Konaté, whose large textile work 'Le Mali, un trésor' is shown in the exhibition." The exhibition also touches on how Islam influenced educational traditions in West Africa. Joubert pointed out that "the teaching of Islam and moral education through learning Quranic verses in West Africa is evoked in the exhibition through a Quranic tablet, a portrait of a marabout, and a Quran in its leather box carried by traders during their professional trips or for the pilgrimage to Mecca."
The Citizen
08-05-2025
- The Citizen
Lowveld murder: Mpumalanga court postpones case again
The murder case against Sonell Joubert (43), who is accused of fatally stabbing Jurgens Nel at Lowhills Farm in the Nkomazi Region, Mpumalanga, early in February, has been postponed to June 26. Joubert was denied bail on February 24, after changing lawyers and submitting two supplementary affidavits in her intention to secure bail. Mpumalanga News reports that at a brief appearance in the Tonga Magistrate's Court today, the court heard that the investigation was finalised and the post-mortem results were available. Joubert was remanded in custody for her docket to be sent to a senior public prosecutor for a decision. The accused had approached the KwaMhlushwa police on February 1, and claimed that Nel had violated the protection order she had against him. Later that night, two police officers went to the farm to attended to the complaint, but did not speak to Nel, as Joubert and her life partner, Johann Möller, told them that he had locked himself in the house and was armed and aggressive. The police left the scene. On February 3, Nguyuza and seven other police members went to Lowhills Farm to look for Nel, only to find him dead with six stab wounds to his upper body. When asked what had happened, Joubert told Nguyuza that she and Nel had had a fight in which she stabbed him with a knife. Joubert was arrested on February 4 after going to the KwaMhlushwa Police Station to provide the investigating officer with a statement. 'When hearing her case, the court found it strange that, during the fight, Joubert had only sustained a small cut below her left eye and on one of her left fingers. Nguyuza told the court that he believed that, although he found the body on Monday, February 3, Nel might have been killed two days prior. It was also revealed that the murder weapon has not been found, resulting in Nguyuza saying Joubert could, therefore, not to be trusted. During today's court appearance, the accused was represented by a new lawyer, Advocate Hennie van Rensburg after her previous lawyer, Marco Lamberti, withdrew from the case because he was not paid for his services. 'I was promised payment after being required to attend the last court appearance, and met with the accused's brother after court. I spent the next two days drafting an appeal but never filed same, as I had not been paid as promised,' Lamberti told Lowvelder after being asked why he was no longer representing Joubert. During the judgment of her bail application, the court heard that she no longer had a residential address, was a flight risk and could interfere with witnesses. 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!
Daily Maverick
04-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Maverick
Tragedy strikes at Simola Hillclimb as esteemed racer Pieter Joubert dies in crash
Joubert was on his first run on day two of the King of the Hill event when he lost control of his Lotus on the fast uphill straight and veered off the course. The South African motorsport community is in mourning after seasoned Simola Hillclimb competitor Pieter Joubert died in a crash on Sunday morning. A respected figure in the racing world, Joubert was known not only for his skill and passion, but also for his humility and generosity off the track. Knysna Speed Festival, the organisers of the Simola Hillclimb, said Joubert was on his first run on day two of the King of the Hill event when he lost control of his Lotus on the fast uphill straight and veered off the course. He was pronounced dead on the scene. His family, who attended the event, were being supported by the organisers. 'We are exceptionally saddened by this incident, and our thoughts and condolences are with Pieter's family, team and friends,' said Ian Shrosbree, the MD of Knysna Speed Festival. 'Pieter's brothers, Dawie and Charl, who have also been competing, have expressed their wishes that we continue with the event.' In a video posted to the Volkswagen Motorsport ZA Facebook page, Martina Biene, the chairperson and managing director of Volkswagen Group Africa, said, 'This is a very sad day for the Motorsport community and the Simola Hillclimb. My heartfelt condolences go to the Joubert family and the entire motorsport community. 'As per the wish of the family, we as Volkswagen have decided to continue racing in honour of the Joubert family. But it is still upon the individual decisions of our Volkswagen drivers whether they want to continue to participate in the race or not. We race in honour of the Joubert family.' The organisers of Simola Hillclimb, together with spectators and fellow racers, observed a minute of silence in honour of Joubert earlier on Sunday. Other supporters of the sport also took to social media to share their condolences. Chris de Weerdt said, 'In the world of motorsport, where egos can often run as fast as the machines, Pieter Joubert stood out. Not just for his skill behind the wheel, but for his humility, passion, and unwavering sportsmanship. 'A true racing enthusiast, Pieter was more than just a competitor. He was a cornerstone of the South African racing scene and an inspiration to those who knew him. 'From the moment he first stepped onto the track, Pieter displayed a natural talent and an unrelenting drive to push limits. Whether he was tearing down the straight or fine tuning his car late into the night, racing wasn't just a sport to him.' De Weerdt said racing was a way of life for Joubert. 'Those who raced with him knew they were up against someone who combined fierce competitiveness with deep respect for the game. 'But what truly set Pieter apart wasn't just his podium finishes or track times. It was his character. 'Despite his many achievements, Pieter remained grounded and approachable. He was always the first to lend a hand in the pits or share advice with younger drivers. 'He earned respect not through bravado, but through kindness, consistency, and dedication. 'In a sport driven by adrenaline and rivalry, Pieter brought heart. He reminded everyone that greatness isn't just measured in speed, but in how you carry yourself on and off the track. 'Today, the racing community mourns the loss of one of its finest. But more than that, it celebrates a man who gave his all to the sport he loved and left an indelible mark on South African motorsport history.'
The Citizen
04-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Legendary driver Pieter Joubert passes away after crash at Simola Hillclimb
The Knysna Speed Festival, organisers of the Simola Hillclimb, confirmed that seasoned competitor Pieter Joubert passed away in an accident this morning. The organisers released a statement saying that Joubert was on his first run of the day at King of the Hill when he lost control of his Lotus on the fast uphill straight and veered off the course, apparently due to a mechanical failure. Joubert was pronounced dead at the scene. His family, who are in attendance, are being supported by the organisers. 'We are exceptionally saddened by this incident, and our thoughts and condolences are with Pieter's family, team and friends,' says Ian Shrosbree, MD of Knysna Speed Festival. 'Pieter's brothers Dawie and Charl, who have also been competing, have expressed their wishes that we continue with the event.' VIDEO: Legendary driver Pieter Joubert passes away after crash At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
