Latest news with #Masango
IOL News
4 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Phillip Sebole Masango secures new legal representation in case against Ramaphosa and Hill-Lewis
Phillip Sebole Masango, 28, was arrested by The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) and is facing two assault charges, and six charges related to contravening sections 14 and 15 of the cyber crimes act 19 of 2020. Image: Linked In/Supplied The man who is facing charges of assault and for threatening to kill the President of the Republic of South Africa and the Mayor of Cape Town made his second court appearance on Monday morning. Phillip Sebole Masango, 28, was arrested by The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) and is facing two assault charges, and six charges related to contravening sections 14 and 15 of the Cybercrimes Act 19 of 2020. The cyber crimes act charges specifically refer to 'unlawfully, and intentionally disclose by means of electronic communication services to a person with the intention to incite violence' against an individual. He was arrested by the Hawks' Crime Against The State (CATS) unit, part of the Serious Organised Crime Investigation on Friday, May 23. On Monday, May 12, a complainant, who is the Chief Executive Officer of a Cape Town based company, allegedly received a voice message from the suspect, in which threats were made against the President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa. Masango is also alleged to have sent multiple threatening messages targeting the complainant, her family, and the Executive Mayor of Cape Town, Geordin Hill-Lewis. The matter was reported to the Cape Town based Hawks' CATS team, which conducted a swift investigation resulting in Masango's apprehension in Gauteng. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ When Masango arrived in Cape Town Magistrate Court, he did so without any legal representation, to which he stated that 'no one is talking to me'. He had explained he had contacted FNB for their legal service but he had heard nothing back. 'Why is my attorney not showing up? Not sure why my attorney is not coming…' he explained to Magistrate Alida Theart when asked about his legal representation. 'Am I guilty of anything?' Theart explained that they were not yet there in the process as he first had to have an attorney on record. 'Which one is better?' he asked when the magistrate explained to him that he could use legal aid which is provided by the state, or one he could pay for himself. He then decided to have legal aid represent him in court, which is when the attorney, Mrs A Semmery came onto the record. Semmery took a few moments to confer with Masango, and during the time, State prosecutor Mujaahid Sandan had raised the question surrounding the accused's place of residence as the one he had previously indicated had belonged to a Church of Scientology in Cape Town. The court heard that Masango has had no prior convictions, and that there were no other outstanding warrants of arrest. The matter was then postponed to Monday, 9 June, to allow for the verification of his address and investigation in other details, including the status of his passport. Cape Argus
Eyewitness News
4 days ago
- Eyewitness News
Case against man who sent threats to Ramaphosa, Hill-Lewis postponed to verify addresses
CAPE TOWN - The case against a man accused of sending several threats to President Cyril Ramaphosa, Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, and the CEO of a Cape Town-based company has been postponed to verify the accused's address. Philip Masango made his second court appearance in the Cape Town Magistrates Court on Monday. The 28-year-old was arrested in Germiston two weeks ago after the businesswoman reported the threats to police. He faces three counts of assault and five of violating the Cybercrimes Act. Masango's case was postponed to 9 June for investigators to confirm several addresses he provided the court. The addresses include properties in Germiston, Gauteng, and Sea Point, Cape Town. Masango also provided an address for the Church of Scientology in Cape Town. The church has distanced itself from him. He also claims to have leased a property at the V&A Waterfront, but the prosecution told the court that there was no record of this. Masango will be represented by a court-appointed lawyer when he returns to the stand next week.
IOL News
4 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
New lawyer for man accused of threatening President Cyril Ramaphosa and Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis
Phillip Sebole Masango, 28, was arrested by The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) and is facing two assault charges, and six charges related to contravening sections 14 and 15 of the cyber crimes act 19 of 2020. Image: Linked In/Supplied The man who is facing charges of assault and for threatening to kill the President of the Republic of South Africa and the Mayor of Cape Town made his second court appearance on Monday morning. Phillip Sebole Masango, 28, was arrested by The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) and is facing two assault charges, and six charges related to contravening sections 14 and 15 of the Cybercrimes Act 19 of 2020. The cyber crimes act charges specifically refer to 'unlawfully, and intentionally disclose by means of electronic communication services to a person with the intention to incite violence' against an individual. He was arrested by the Hawks' Crime Against The State (CATS) unit, part of the Serious Organised Crime Investigation on Friday, 23 May 2025. On Monday, 12 May 2025, a complainant, who is the Chief Executive Officer of a Cape Town based company, allegedly received a voice message from the suspect, in which threats were made against the President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa. Masango is also alleged to have sent multiple threatening messages targeting the complainant, her family, and the Executive Mayor of Cape Town, Geordin Hill-Lewis. The matter was reported to the Cape Town based Hawks' CATS team, which conducted a swift investigation resulting in Masango's apprehension in Gauteng. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading When Masango arrived in Cape Town Magistrate Court, he did so without any legal representation, to which he stated that 'no one is talking to me'. He had explained he had contacted FNB for their legal service but he had heard nothing back. 'Why is my attorney not showing up? Not sure why my attorney is not coming…' he explained to Magistrate Alida Theart when asked about his legal representation. 'Am I guilty of anything?' Theart explained that they were not yet there in the process as he first had to have an attorney on record. 'Which one is better?' he asked when the magistrate explained to him that he could use legal aid which is provided by the state, or one he could pay for himself. He then decided to have legal aid represent him in court, which is when the attorney, Mrs A Semmery came onto the record. Semmery took a few moments to confer with Masango, and during the time, State prosecutor Mujaahid Sandan had raised the question surrounding the accused's place of residence as the one he had previously indicated had belonged to a Church of Scientology in Cape Town. The court heard that Masango has had no prior convictions, and that there were no other outstanding warrants of arrest. The matter was then postponed to Monday, 9 June, to allow for the verification of his address and investigation in other details, including the status of his passport.
The Citizen
26-05-2025
- The Citizen
Ramaphosa death threat case postponed to June
The accused was arrested after a businesswoman in Cape Town reported voices messages she received containing various threats. The man accused of making threats aimed at President Cyril Ramaphosa appeared in the Cape Town Magistrate's Court on Monday. The accused has been identified by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) as 27-year-old Phillip Sebole Masango. Masango was arrested in Germiston on Friday and transported to the Western Cape over the weekend to attend his court appearance. '[He is] charged with assault and threatening to kill the President of the Republic of South Africa and the Mayor of Cape Town,' Western Cape NPA spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila confirmed to The Citizen on Monday. 'His case has been postponed until 2 June for further investigation,' Ntabazalila stated. Arrested in Gauteng The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) stated that the case originated from a complaint lodged by the CEO of a Cape Town-based company on 12 May. The complainant reported a voice message she received from the accused, in which he is alleged to have made threats against the president. 'The suspect is also alleged to have sent multiple threatening messages targeting the complainant, her family, and the executive mayor of Cape Town,' stated the Hawks. The matter was escalated to the Cape Town branch of the Hawks' Crimes Against the State (Cats) unit, whose investigation led to Masango's arrest. NOW READ: Hawks arrest suspect for making threats against President Cyril Ramaphosa
Eyewitness News
26-05-2025
- Eyewitness News
Alleged cyberbully makes brief court appearance for allegedly threatening Ramaphosa, others
CAPE TOWN - A 28-year-old alleged cyberbully made a brief appearance in the Cape Town Magistrates Court for allegedly threatening President Cyril Ramaphosa, Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, and a prominent businesswoman. Sabelo Masango allegedly made threats against the president, the Cape Town mayor and a CEO of an unknown company. Masango was arrested in Germiston on Friday after allegedly making the threats to the CEO last week. The accused faces charges of contravening the Cyber Act and assault. Masango appeared in the dock on Monday wearing navy blue tracksuit pants and a short-sleeved T-shirt. When asked if he has legal representation, he told the court he has lawyers in Italy and South Africa. Investigators said Masango sent threatening messages to the CEO on Monday last week. In those texts, he made threats to Ramaphosa and Hill-Lewis. He is charged with five counts of contravention of the Cybercrimes Act and two counts of assault, all related to the messages he sent. The matter was postponed until 2 June for Masango to get legal representation.
