Latest news with #MpumalangaDivision
The Citizen
2 days ago
- The Citizen
Life sentences for Mpumalanga tavern owners who set alleged burglars alight
The Mpumalanga Division of the High Court has delivered a stern message against vigilantism, sentencing Mpilo Clinton Twala (35), Advice Philimon Lubisi (39) and Joshua Mkhonto (42) to life imprisonment for the horrific 2020 murders of Isaac Mdaka and Xoli Mathebula. Mpumalanga News reports the trio were sentenced yesterday. According to Monica Nyuswa, the spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority in Mpumalanga, the men were convicted on two counts of murder, three counts of kidnapping, and one of assault. The charges stem from a brutal incident that took place on March 1, 2020, in Xhimungwe, Bushbuckridge. 'Twala and Mkhonto, both tavern owners, along with Twala's friend Lubisi, are reported to have forcefully abducted Mdaka and Mathebula from their homes. The victims were accused of breaking into Twala's tavern and were taken to an open field, where they were savagely assaulted with scissor jacks before being doused with petrol and set alight,' says Nyuswa. She adds that despite suffering severe burns, Mdaka miraculously managed to escape and was discovered by a passer-by who alerted his father. An ambulance was called and both victims were rushed to Matikwane Hospital, where they later succumbed to their injuries. The three killers were arrested a week later. During the trial, Twala, Lubisi and Mkhonto pleaded not guilty and denied any involvement in the crime. However, senior state Adv Vuyo Mkhulise presented a compelling case, strengthened by Mdaka's testimony – given before his death – as well as accounts from eyewitnesses. 'One witness recounted seeing the accused assaulting Mdaka, and his father identified one of them as the person who had taken his son. Post-mortem reports, confirming severe burn injuries as the cause of death for both victims, were also submitted as irrefutable evidence,' says Nyuswa. The court ultimately found the accused guilty on all charges. In aggravation of sentence, Mkhulise emphasised the trio's complete lack of remorse, describing the murders as exceptionally cruel and indicative of a profound disregard for human life. Victim impact statements, facilitated by court preparation officer Nomfundo Mokoena, further highlighted the immense and lasting trauma suffered by the victims' families. Each of the accused received the following sentences: Life imprisonment for each count of murder Five years' imprisonment for each count of kidnapping Twelve months' imprisonment for assault, suspended for five years The court ruled that all sentences would run concurrently, effectively meaning each accused will serve life imprisonment. The Department of Correctional Services was also instructed to consult the victims' families before any consideration of parole, ensuring the gravity of the crimes continues to be acknowledged throughout the correctional process. 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
The Citizen
4 days ago
- The Citizen
Hefty sentence for Mpumalanga man who killed girlfriend in front of their children
Hefty sentence for Mpumalanga man who killed girlfriend in front of their children The Mpumalanga Division of the High Court on Wednesday sentenced a 35-year-old man to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of his girlfriend. According to Highvelder, the crime, fuelled by accusations of cheating, unfolded in the presence of their two minor children, aged three and six. The man, who lived with his girlfriend and their children in eMvelo (previously Amsterdam), pleaded guilty and was convicted of premeditated murder. The incident occurred on June 6, 2024. The court heard that they were at home when the girlfriend received a phone call from an unknown person. After the call, he questioned her about the caller. Unsatisfied with her response and suspecting an affair, an argument broke out and escalated into violence. He then fatally stabbed her in the neck with a knife. The victim died instantly, and the accused was arrested two days later. 'In aggravation of the sentence, state Adv Kedibone Mthimkhulu argued that the accused's plea was a mitigating factor, emphasising the brutality of slitting the throat of the deceased as inhumane,' says NPA provincial spokesperson Monica Nyuswa. The court was presented with a post-mortem report confirming the woman died from an anterior neck wound and a photo album showing the grim crime scene. Mthimkhulu also submitted a victim impact statement compiled by the deceased's daughter describing the financial, psychological and emotional trauma she has suffered since her mother's death. 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
The Citizen
16-07-2025
- The Citizen
Mpumalanga court sentences man who killed school guard in crime spree
The Mpumalanga Division of the High Court has sentenced 41-year-old Nkosinathi Fazo Khumalo to life imprisonment for a string of violent crimes that left a community in shock. According to Mpumalanga News, Khumalo was convicted on five charges – including murder, housebreaking with intent to commit robbery, and three counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances – following a crime spree that began on June 18, 2020. NPA provincial spokesperson Monica Nyuswa said Khumalo shot and killed Amos Mathabathela Mgwenya, a former security guard at Mthayiza Primary School in Bhuga Trust, Nsikazi District. He then broke into the school's computer lab, stealing computers and other electronic equipment. 'In a separate incident, Khumalo, along with unidentified accomplices, robbed employees at the Mhala Post Office at gunpoint, stealing cash and cellphones,' Nyuswa said. Khumalo was later arrested in connection with an unrelated matter. Forensic evidence subsequently linked him to both the school shooting and the armed robbery. Although Khumalo pleaded not guilty, state Advocate Senzo Zindela led compelling evidence that resulted in a conviction. A post-mortem confirmed that Mgwenya had died from multiple gunshot wounds. 'Zindela emphasised that Khumalo showed no remorse and had brutally murdered a man who was serving his community,' Nyuswa added. Victim impact statements presented in court detailed the psychological and emotional trauma experienced by Mgwenya's wife and children. Delivering the sentence, Judge Johannes Hendrickus Roelofse said communities have a right to live in safety and security, and found no compelling reason to depart from the prescribed minimum sentence. Khumalo received the following sentences: Life imprisonment for murder; five years for housebreaking with intent to commit robbery; and 15 years for each of the three counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances. All sentences are to run concurrently with the life term. Khumalo was also declared unfit to possess a firearm. His application for leave to appeal both the conviction and sentence was dismissed following the state's objection. 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!
![Former cop guns down wife's lover [video]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thesouthafrican.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F06%2F20e09206-108f-47d9-bc12-d196a76d9de6-1.jpg.optimal.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
![Former cop guns down wife's lover [video]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fall-logos-bucket.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fthesouthafrican.com.png&w=48&q=75){kind=small}
The South African
05-06-2025
- The South African
Former cop guns down wife's lover [video]
A former traffic officer in Mpumalanga has been sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment for housebreaking and the murder of his wife's lover, Thamsanqa Sbusiso Nkosi. The Mpumalanga Division of the High Court sentenced Abednego Desmond Mbuyane on Tuesday, 3 June 2025. Hawks provincial spokesperson, Lieutenant-Colonel Magonseni Nkosi, confirmed to The South African that Mbuyane killed Nkosi after finding him in a room with his wife at Kwanyoni Lodge, Nelspruit, in April 2023. Read the full version of the ' Former traffic cop sentenced to 12 years for murdering wife's lover' article. The former traffic cop had been calling his wife multiple times to no avail. Seeing that she was not answering his calls, he became suspicious and tracked the vehicle she was travelling in, which pointed him to the lodge. Looking for quick updates? Watch News in a Minute videos on The South African's YouTube page for all the key stories you need to know! Catch all the latest videos on news, lifestyle, travel, sports and more – there's always something to watch! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and BlueSky to stay connected and get your news on the go!
The Citizen
29-05-2025
- 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!
