Latest news with #Mahanjana
The Citizen
12 hours ago
- The Citizen
12-year-old in court after killing 14-year-old in Brakpan collision
For children aged between 12 and 14 years, the law introduces a presumption that they lack criminal capacity, unless proven otherwise by the state. A 12-year-old child has appeared before the Brakpan Magistrates Court on charges of culpable homicide and driving without a license after allegedly causing the death of a 14-year-old boy. According to reports, the younger child was driving his parents' vehicle when the fatal collision took place in Brakpan, Gauteng, on Saturday. Details of the fatal collision According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the 12-year-old was behind the wheel when he ran a stop sign and struck the teenage victim. 'It is alleged that on 7 June 2025, the minor was driving his parents' vehicle at the corner of Madeley and Northdeene Street when he drove over a 14-year-old boy and bumped into a wall. 'The 14-year-old boy sustained injuries and was declared dead on the scene,' said NPA Regional spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana. Following the collision, the younger child was arrested. 'The 12-year-old was then taken to the Brakpan charge office and later released into the care of his parents by police,' Mahanjana added. He was only released into his parents' custody on Sunday, 8 June 2025. ALSO READ: Four taken to hospital after collision on R328 Court proceedings and legal considerations During Monday's court appearance, the minor was accompanied by his guardian, as required by law. The matter has been postponed until 28 August 2025 to allow for a comprehensive assessment of the child's criminal capacity. The law introduces a presumption that children aged between 12 and 14 lack criminal capacity unless the state proves otherwise. 'A child falling in this age group can only be arrested as a last resort,' LegalWise stated. Current legislation directs that 14-year-olds and above can typically stand trial in South African courts. The Constitutional Court firmly established the principle that child offenders must be treated differently from adults, a view that was solidified when the Child Justice Act 75 of 2008 came into effect on 1 April 2010. This Act introduced a separate criminal justice system tailored specifically for children, aiming to address their unique needs and circumstances within the legal framework. LegalWise explains that 'under the Child Justice Act, a child under the age of 12 years has no criminal capacity and cannot be prosecuted or arrested for an offence. It does not mean that there will be no consequences if the child is found guilty.' The Act instead 'offers alternatives for rehabilitation by diverting a child offender from a prison sentence to community service, counselling and therapy.' This reflects a significant shift in focus—from punishment to rehabilitation, acknowledging that children are still developing and should be given the opportunity to reform. NOW READ: Trio convicted for brutal farm attack in Eastern Cape
The Citizen
30-05-2025
- The Citizen
Pretoria pensioner sentenced to life for raping girl (6)
A 79-year-old Pretoria man will spend the rest of his life behind bars after being convicted of raping a six-year-old girl, with the court also declaring him unfit to work with children or own a firearm. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said the Pretoria North Magistrates' Court handed down the life imprisonment sentence to Johannes Jacobus Christiaan Kotze. 'Kotze also received five years each for two counts of sexual assault, to run concurrently with the life sentence. 'The court further ordered that his name be added to the National Register for Sex Offenders and declared him unfit to work with children and unfit to possess a firearm.' She said Kotze rented a room at a commune where the six-year-old girl was staying with her mother. 'The victim referred to him as 'Oupa' even though they were not biologically related. Mahanjana said the mother found her child in Kotze's room on October 3, 2019 when she searched for her but could not find her where she was supposed to be playing. 'When she entered, he immediately pulled his hands away from the child, which brought made the mother suspicious.' The mother took the child out of the room and questioned her. 'The child then disclosed to her mother that Kotze had raped her by digitally penetrating her, touching her private parts, and forcing her to touch him,' said Mahanjana. 'The child further revealed that these acts were not isolated incidents. The mother immediately reported the matter to the police, leading to Kotze's arrest on October 24 2019.' Kotze pleaded not guilty, denying the rape and alleging the child fabricated the case due to a dispute over their tenancy at the commune. However, State Prosecutor Hanlie Du Preez presented compelling evidence, including the victim's testimony and corroborating reports, proving Kotze's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Mahanjana said during sentencing, Kotze sought leniency, citing his age and ill health. 'Du Preez countered that his lack of remorse, the gruesome nature of the crime, and its lasting trauma on the victim, who continues to suffer nightmares, warranted no deviation from the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment. She argued that age alone could not excuse such a heinous act.' Regional Court Magistrate Piet Nel agreed with the state, stating that rape is a scourge in our society, and the absence of remorse aggravates this crime; therefore, he found no substantial or compelling circumstances to justify leniency; he imposed life imprisonment, reinforcing the judiciary's stance against GBV. The NPA urges communities to remain vigilant and report GBV and child abuse promptly. Thuthuzela Care Centres (TCCs) stand ready to provide medical, psychological, and legal support to survivors. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
30-05-2025
- The Citizen
'Oupa' (79) sentenced to life in prison for rape of 6-year-old girl
The little girl referred to him as 'oupa', though they were not biologically related. A 79-year-old man has been sentenced to life in prison for raping a six-year-old girl who called him 'oupa' (grandfather). Jacobus Christiaan Kotze appeared in the Pretoria North Magistrate's Court, where the sentence was handed down. Sentence Kotze also received five years each for two counts of sexual assault, with the sentences to run concurrently with his life term. The court further ordered Kotze's name be added to the National Register for Sex Offenders and declared him unfit to work with children and unfit to possess a firearm. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has welcomed the sentence. ALSO READ: Laerskool Dalmondeor staff member arrested for alleged sexual assault of grade 2 pupil Trial NPA spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said Kotze pleaded not guilty, denying the rape and alleging the child's parents fabricated the case due to a dispute over their tenancy at the commune. 'State Prosecutor Hanlie Du Preez presented compelling evidence, including the victim's testimony and corroborating reports, proving Kotze's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. During sentencing, Kotze sought leniency, citing his age and ill health. Du Preez countered that his lack of remorse, the gruesome nature of the crime, and its lasting trauma on the victim, who continues to suffer nightmares, warranted no deviation from the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment. She argued that age alone could not excuse such a heinous act,' Mahanjana said. Leniency Magistrate Piet Nel agreed with the state, stating that 'rape is a scourge in our society, and the absence of remorse aggravates this crime'. Nel found no substantial or compelling circumstances to justify leniency, imposing life imprisonment, reinforcing the judiciary's firm stance against gender-based violence. ALSO READ: AfriForum accuses NPA of playing to public gallery in Cwecwe rape case Rape During the trial, it emerged that Kotze rented a room at a commune where the six-year-old girl was staying with her mother. The little girl referred to him as 'oupa', though they were not biologically related. On 3 October 2019, the mother of the child suspected that something was wrong with her and decided to investigate. When the mother could not find the child where she was supposed to be playing, she went to look for her in Kotze's room. Arrest Mahanjana said that when the mother entered Kotze's room, he immediately pulled his hands away from the child, which made her suspicious. 'She then grabbed the child and went to their room, where she questioned her. The child then disclosed to her mother that Kotze had raped her by digitally penetrating her, touched her private parts, and forced her to touch him. 'The child further revealed that these acts were not isolated incidents. The mother immediately reported the matter to the police, leading to Kotze's arrest on 24 October 2019,' Kotze's room said. GBV The Acting Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Marika Jansen van Vuuren, praised officials for the arrest and successful prosecution of Kotze. 'This sentence sends a clear message: the NPA prioritises GBV cases, especially those targeting vulnerable children, and will pursue justice relentlessly, she said. 'The conviction underscores the NPA's unwavering commitment to protecting society's most vulnerable and holding perpetrators accountable, regardless of age or status.' The NPA has urged communities to remain vigilant and report GBV and child abuse promptly. 'This case highlights the critical role of caregivers, like the victim's mother, in exposing abuse and seeking justice,' the NPA said. NOW READ: WATCH: How Olorato Mongale murder suspect 'confessed' [VIDEO]
The Citizen
22-05-2025
- The Citizen
Mamelodi serial rapist sentenced to over 400 years in jail
Between 2017 and 2022, Doctor Nkurube Maruma robbed homes and raped victims, the youngest being 15 years old. A 34-year-old Mamelodi serial rapist's reign of terror in which he broke into numerous households, robbing his victims and then raping women while threatening them with a weapon has received a jail term of over 400 years. Doctor Nkurube Maruma appeared in the Pretoria High Court on Wednesday, where the sentence was handed down. Jail term The serial rapist received 491 years in prison for 19 rapes, 15 housebreakings and robberies with aggravated circumstances and other related charges. The court ordered that the sentences run concurrently with the life imprisonment term, with Maruma declared unfit to possess a firearm. ALSO READ: Man arrested for using fake Facebook profile to lure, kidnap, and rape women Court proceedings National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said the serial rapist pleaded not guilty and denied all allegations. 'However, the prosecutor Advocate Vusimuzi Tshabalala presented DNA evidence linking Maruma to the crimes and led compelling testimonies from the victims. During sentencing, Maruma, through his legal representative, asked the court to deviate from imposing the prescribed minimum sentences because he was young when committing the offences and could not fully comprehend the magnitude of his offences.' Mitigation Maruma asked the court to consider his unfortunate upbringing when imposing the sentence. However, Tshabalala opposed the request, arguing that Maruma was 26 years old when he began offending, fully aware of his actions, and showed no remorse for the offences because Maruma laughed and mocked victims during their testimonies, claiming to be bewitched. Tshabalala said, the serial rapist preyed on women and children who are regarded as the most vulnerable people in society by unlawfully entering their houses, robbing and raping them. ALSO READ: Operation Shanela: Police arrest more than 16 000 in just one week 'No remorse' Mahanjana said Judge Mashudu Munzhelele agreed with the state and emphasised that Maruma showed no remorse and mocked victims' suffering during the trial. 'The judge said Maruma was not a productive member of society, he committed crimes instead of seeking honest work and terrorised his community through calculated, repeated criminal acts. 'In addition, Judge Munzhelele said the sentence imposed should send a strong message that Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and similar crimes will not be tolerated. Therefore, the court found no substantial and compelling circumstances to justify a deviation from the prescribed minimum sentences,' Mahanjana said. Reign of Terror Maruma's reign of terror was committed between October 2017 and August 2022. Between 2017 and 2018, Maruma committed these offences in Limpopo province while he was still residing there. Mahanjana said that when Maruma moved to Pretoria, he continued with his modus operandi from 2019 until 2022, when he was arrested. 'During this period, Maruma broke into 15 households, his oldest rape victim was a 38-year-old woman, while his youngest rape victim was a15 year old girl.' Arrest 'On 1 October 2017 at about 02H00 Marumo raped the 38-year-old-woman at her home in Limpopo while she had gone an outside toilet to relive herself. On a different incident Marumo raped the 15-year-old girl in the presence of her mother after he broke into their home in the middle of the night,' Mahanjana said. Maruma was finally arrested on 14 August 2022, shortly after raping and robbing another victim of three cell phones and two laptops. The victim alerted a neighbour, who, while searching the area, stopped a police vehicle that was passing and reported the incident. Police later spotted and arrested Maruma. GBV Acting Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Advocate Marika Jansen Van Vuuren, commended the prosecutor for his dedication and resilience in securing the conviction. 'This landmark sentence sends a powerful message that crimes of gender-based violence (GBV) will be met with the full might of the law. It reflects the NPA's unwavering commitment to ensuring justice for victims, holding perpetrators accountable, and protecting the most vulnerable members of our society.' Van Vuuren said 'serial offenders' like Maruma have no place in our communities, and the NPA will continue to 'pursue justice without fear or favour'. ALSO READ: Police recover 10 AK-47s at Meyerton taxi rank after shooting
TimesLIVE
16-05-2025
- TimesLIVE
Rapist-robber gets life sentence for vicious attack on Pretoria jogger
A Zimbabwean national who accosted a woman while she was jogging on Kloof Street in Pretoria West has been sentenced to life imprisonment. Lumka Mahanjana, NPA regional spokesperson, said Mulero Nyangero, 32, was one of three men who ambushed the jogger in August 2020. 'The attackers came out of the nearby bush, approached and dragged her into the bushes where Nyangero raped her while the two men assaulted her and threatened her with a knife. They forced her to transfer money to them via cellphone banking, tied her hands and fled the scene,' said Mahanjana. The victim managed to untie herself and ran to the road where a passing motorist gave her a lift. She reported the attack at the Pretoria West police station. Nyangero was arrested months later at a tavern in Pretoria West and has been in custody since February 2021. Mahanjana said Nyangero had pleaded not guilty and after the conviction had asked the court to deviate from imposing the prescribed minimum sentence because he is married and has two minor children who he needs to provide and care for. The prosecutor, advocate Chester Molaba, argued against the deviation, saying: 'Nyangero showed no remorse for the serious crimes of gender-based violence he committed, which are prevalent in the country.' Magistrate Themba Ndwandwe said he found no substantial and compelling circumstances to deviate from imposing the prescribed minimum sentence, as Nyangero 'showed no remorse and the crime is inhumane'. He imposed a life sentence for the rape and five years' imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances, to run concurrently.
