Latest news with #MthunziMhaga
The South African
17-05-2025
- The South African
NPA gives Cwecwe the thumbs down
On 17 May 2025, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said no one would be prosecuted in the Eastern Cape sexual assault case. The case rocked the country earlier this year as #JusticeforCwecwe topped social media trends and news headlines. In March, a mother from Matatiele, EC, took to TikTok to allege that her seven-year-old daughter had been raped on school grounds. The woman claimed she had reported the matter to the police but the case was dismissed. Her allegations sparked public outrage, which resulted in both the police and the NPA being called to account. 'The National Prosecuting Authority NPA confirms that in November 2024, a case docket was presented to prosecutors in Matatiele Magistrates' Court as well as to the case manager at the Matatiele Thuthuzela Care Centre in the Eastern Cape. The docket contained information with suspicions of sexual assault on a minor girl', said NPA spokesperson, Mthunzi Mhaga. Mhaga said his office closely examined the details that had been presented in the docket of Cwecwe's case and had to make a decision based on the proof that was available. 'The prosecutors assessed the contents thereof and concluded that there was insufficient evidence upon which a successful prosecution could be instituted as no conclusive evidence of rape/sexual assault could be found after an interview and examination conducted on the minor girl', said Mhaga. Following this development, Mhaga said the EC Director of Public Prosecutions requested to view the docket. Thereafter, prosecutors in the DPP office relooked at the matter and confirmed the decision made by the prosecutors in Matatiele. The NPA said the decision was communicated with the investigation officers of the case. According to Mhaga, the docket was then returned to the police officers. 'The DPP's office did not release a public statement with regards to their decision at the time. In addition, doing so could have potential to compromise any ongoing police investigations', said Mhaga. On 8 April 2025, marches in honour of #JusticeforCwecwe took place in various parts of the country. Child protection organisations said the marches were to put pressure on authorities to make an arrest on the case. Mhaga said they were doing extensive work behind the scenes at the time. He said the NPA were unable to share the details with the public then. However, he said the NPA is now willing to share some information. 'In view of the public outcry and interest generated since the matter resurfaced in April 2025, the NPA has decided to communicate the decision of the prosecutors in the Eastern Cape Division. We can also indicate that the police have since resubmitted the docket to the DPP's office for further consideration', said Mhaga. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
14-05-2025
- The South African
Bloem court rules on R32 million asbestos corruption scheme
On 13 March 2025, the Bloemfontein High Court made a ruling on properties linked to an asbestos corruption scheme. The court granted the National Prosecuting Authority's Asset Forfeiture Unit, together with Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation, a Preservation Order. The order stated that six immovable properties valued at R32 million and a Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG worth R2 million, would be seized. 'The AFU believes the properties are proceeds of unlawful activities of theft, fraud, corruption and money laundering perpetuated against the Free State Department of Human Settlements', said NPA spokesperson, advocate Mthunzi Mhaga. All the alleged perpetrators have direct ties to the Free State Department of Human Settlements. They had access to monies during their time at the department. 'The involved individuals, companies and trusts are alleged to have engaged in a complex web of financial flows, designed to strip the FSDHS of its much-needed resources', Mhaga continued. According to Mhaga, the perpetrators were able to move the proceeds of crime through attorneys, real estate agencies and high-end motor dealers. He said the AFU has shown through financial flows that the assets were purchased directly with monies linked to the FSDHS. 'This preservation order follows a Restraint Order of R300-million granted to AFU by the Free State High Court – Bloemfontein in September 2020', said Mhaga. Mhaga emphasised, 'The preservation order will effectively put a freeze on and thwart any efforts to dissipate the very assets sought to be preserved. This will provide for the subsequent forfeiture of these proceeds of crime to the state'. Mhaga said various persons and entities have since been criminally charged with multiple charges of fraud, theft, money laundering and corruption. They were also charged with contraventions of the Public Finance Management Act. Additionally, they were charged with contraventions of various sections of the Asbestos Regulations. They are set to appear before the Bloemfontein High Court for trial on 15 April 2025. The NPA said pursuing legal action was an ongoing response to the State Capture Commission's recommendation. It was recommended that they recover monies siphoned through an unlawful contract linked to the Free State Asbestos Eradication Project. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
14-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Free State Asbestos Case: Court grants R32 million preservation order and seizure of Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG
The Free State High Court has granted the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) a R32 million preservation order against Ace Magashule and others linked to the asbestos corruption and money laundering scheme. Included in the court order is a luxury Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG, allegedly purchased in cash for R2 million - a symbol of the lavish lifestyle funded by illicit gains. According to the NPA, the seized assets are believed to be the proceeds of a web of criminal activities, including theft, fraud, corruption, and money laundering, orchestrated at the expense of the Free State Department of Human Settlements (FSDHS). 'The involved individuals, companies, and trusts are alleged to have engaged in a complex web of financial flows, designed to strip the FSDHS of its much-needed resources," said NPA national spokesperson Mthunzi Mhaga. 'They were allegedly able to move the proceeds of crime through attorneys, real estate agencies, and high-end motor dealers.' The Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) has shown through financial flows that these properties were purchased with monies siphoned from the FSDHS, the statement read. "This preservation order follows a Restraint Order of R300 million granted to the unit by the High Court in September 2020. This was in respect of the same asbestos corruption and money laundering scheme. "The order will effectively put a freeze on and thwart any efforts to dissipate the very assets sought to be preserved." The NPA said this will provide for the subsequent forfeiture of these proceeds of crime to the state. Meanwhile, the NPA confirmed that various persons and entities are also criminally charged with multiple charges of fraud, theft, money laundering, corruption, contraventions of the PFMA, and contraventions of various sections of the Asbestos Regulations. IOL Politics
eNCA
13-05-2025
- eNCA
NPA to probe conduct of prosecutors
JOHANNESBURG - The National Prosecuting Authority is appealing the not guilty verdict in Nigerian Pastor, Timothy Omotoso's trafficking and sexual assault case. It says it will also have an internal investigation into the conduct of the first team of prosecutors involved in the matter, which started in August 2024. Mthunzi Mhaga, NPA National Spokesperson, stated that they are awaiting a response from the judge after the registrar of the High Court in Gqeberha acknowledged receiving the request for clarification on factual findings.
IOL News
23-04-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
JUST IN: National Prosecuting Authority considers appeal in Timothy Omotoso case
"This team is studying the transcript, and the three other relevant decisions that were handed down in the course of this trial and will provide a memorandum of advice and opinion on the appeal ability of the judgment," said Mhaga. "The NPA will announce its decision, taking into account the memorandum of advice from the NPA team, and the opinion from Senior Counsel." NPA national spokesperson advocate Mthunzi Mhaga said the decision to consider appealing the Omotoso case is based on the gravity and complexity of the case, as well as the fact that the state can only appeal an acquittal under Section 319 of the Criminal Procedure Act. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has announced that it has appointed a Senior Counsel to evaluate and advise on the possibility of appealing the Timothy Omotoso judgement. The 66-year-old Nigerian national was acquitted after spending eight years in jail. He was acquitted alongside his co-accused, Lusanda Sulani, and Zikiswa Sitho. Mhaga went on to say that the recent judgement has harmed efforts to combat sexual and gender-based violence (GBV) and eroded trust in the criminal justice system. This has serious consequences for the victims, he said. The Commission for the Promotion of the Rights of Cultural, Religious, and Linguistic Communities (CRL Rights Commission) is one of several groups who condemned the NPA following the Nigerian televangelist's acquittal by the High Court in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape. "All we can say is, the NPA let us down. The NPA let these witnesses (the victims) down. There are hundreds, if not thousands of victims out there who were waiting to see how this case goes. If it was not a matter of not cross-examining the accused appropriately, as the judge said, then we are leaving it at the door of the NPA," said chairperson of the CRL Rights Commission, Thoko Mkhwanazi-Xaluva. The NPA added that it is considering all avenues to ensure justice is served within the law. IOL News Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
