Latest news with #NPA
The Citizen
24 minutes ago
- The Citizen
Gqeberha pastor denied bail in murdered 12-year-old sister-in-law case
Pastor Sonwabo Nqayi remains behind bars after being charged with the premeditated murder of a 12-year-old schoolgirl in Motherwell. The Motherwell Magistrate's Court has denied bail to a Gqeberha pastor accused of kidnapping and murdering his 12-year-old sister-in-law. The prosecution successfully opposed the bail application of 39-year-old Sonwabo Nqayi, the pastor and founder of the Holy Burning Fire Ministries of God, on Thursday. Nqayi made his first appearance in court on 30 June, facing premeditated murder, kidnapping, and defeating or obstructing the course of justice charges. Pastor in court in connection with sister-in-law's death He was arrested in connection with the tragic death of his 12-year-old sister-in-law, Lithaliyanda Ntini. The Grade 6 pupil went missing after she left her home on Luzipho Street, NU10, Motherwell, on 24 June 2025 at approximately 4.45pm to visit a shop. ALSO READ: 'There is no white genocide happening here,' says Trump's top pastor after SA visit Lithaliyanda never returned to her home and was last seen wearing grey tracksuit pants with a purple jersey. A few days later, the girl's charred remains were discovered in bushes near Khabonqaba Street, NU6, Motherwell, in the early hours of 27 June 2025 at approximately 2.10am. It is alleged that on 24 June, the accused kidnapped the minor and took her to nearby bushes, where he allegedly murdered her and set her body alight. Girl allegedly murdered and set alight 'While we commend the swift arrest in this case, the brutal nature of this child's murder has deeply shocked our officers and the community,' said acting Eastern Cape provincial commissioner, Major General Thandiswa Kupiso, when Lithaliyanda's body was found. 'We have full confidence in our investigative team and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to ensure justice for Lithaliyanda and her family.' Bail denied NPA regional spokesperson Luxolo Tyali said the state opposed bail because the matter was premeditated, and there was a likelihood that he would evade trial and use his influence to threaten witnesses. ALSO READ: Omotoso 'not a fugitive from justice', NPA says as Nigerian pastor leaves SA The Motherwell Magistrate's Court ruled in favour of the prosecution. The matter has been remanded to 28 August 2025 for further investigation. 'The NPA remains resolute in its commitment to ensuring that justice is served for victims of violent crime, especially those who are most vulnerable in our society,' Tyali said.
The Citizen
24 minutes ago
- The Citizen
Former Northern Cape cop jailed for housebreaking
The former cop broke into people's homes and stole valuables to support his drug addiction. A former Northern Cape police officer has been sentenced to eight years in prison after landing himself on the wrong side of the law. Thandoxulu Kwindla was found guilty on four counts of housebreaking by the De Aar Regional Court and sentenced to three years' imprisonment on each count. The court ordered that the sentences run concurrently, amounting to an effective eight-year sentence. Housebreaking to feed addiction Kwindla — a 38-year-old former constable — went on a housebreaking escapade between August 2021 and April 2023, shortly after resigning from the South African Police Service. He carried out the offences in Nonzwakazi, where he also lived. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane said Kwindla broke into homes during the evening and stole valuable items to support his drug addiction. 'The stolen goods are estimated to be worth around R35 000,' Senokoatsane said. ALSO READ: Police officers and Saps cleaner arrested for looting washing powder Trial and arrest Kwindla was arrested on 23 April 2023 and remained in custody until the recent finalisation of the case. During the trial, prosecutor Xolisa March emphasised the seriousness and prevalence of housebreaking and theft incidents in the Nonzwakazi area. She argued that as a former officer of the law, the accused had betrayed public trust and acted with full awareness of the unlawfulness of his actions. 'The court also considered two Victim Impact Statements, facilitated by court preparation officer Trott Manghana, which outlined the emotional and financial toll on the victims,' Senokoatsane said. 'In delivering the sentence, the court acknowledged Kwindla's circumstances but stressed the severity of his crimes and their impact on both victims and the broader community.' 'Strengthening confidence in justice system' He said the sentence reaffirms the NPA's commitment to holding offenders accountable, especially those who once served in positions of public trust. 'The NPA remains dedicated to safeguarding communities and strengthening confidence in the criminal justice system,' Senokoatsane added. NOW READ: Disbanded police task team 'tried to arrest Mchunu and Sibiya'
Eyewitness News
3 hours ago
- Eyewitness News
Man accused of murdering Mpho Mafole also accused of killing popular Kempton Park DJ
JOHANNESBURG - The man accused of murdering a senior auditor in the City of Ekurhuleni is also accused of killing a popular Kempton Park DJ. Thabani Ntshalintshali made his first court appearance on Wednesday for his alleged murder of Ekurhuleni forensic auditor Mpho Mafole. ALSO READ: - Family of slain Ekurhuleni auditor Mpho Mafole shocked to learn of his alleged killer's history of violence - Court hears that man arrested for Mpho Mafole's murder also facing a separate murder charge - Xhakaza commends law enforcement for urgently probing Mpho Mafole's murder It's emerged that his other murder case, which is going to trial in August, is that of Bongani Mfihlo, a well-known DJ in Kempton Park. Mfihlo was shot and killed outside a nightclub in Kempton Park in 2023. Forty-year-old Thabani Ntshalintshali was initially arrested in 2024 for the alleged murder of Mfihlo in Kempton Park. He was granted bail of R5,000, and his trial in that matter is scheduled to run from 12 to 19 of August. While out on bail, Ntshalintshali was arrested again, this time for the murder of Mafole. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said Ntshalintshali has demonstrated that he is not deserving of being granted bail again. 'The accused is facing charges of a serious nature and our reason to deny bail will be that this is a crime committed while he was out on bail.' Police are on the hunt for a second suspect who is believed to have worked with Ntshalintshali in carrying out the crimes.
TimesLIVE
3 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
Former Northern Cape cop who stole to feed his drug addiction jailed
The De Aar regional court has sentenced former police constable Thanduxolo Kwindla to an effective eight years of direct imprisonment after convicting him on four counts of housebreaking with intent to steal and theft. Kwindla, 38, who resigned from the police shortly before committing the offences, carried out the housebreakings between August 2021 and April 2023 in Nonzwakazi location, where he lived. His modus operandi involved breaking into homes during the evening and stealing valuable items to support his drug addiction. The stolen goods were worth about R35,000, said Northern Cape NPA spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane. Kwindla was arrested in April 2023 and remained in custody until the finalisation of the matter. In aggravation of sentence, prosecutor Xolisa March emphasised the seriousness and prevalence of housebreaking and theft in the area. She argued that as a former officer of the law, the accused had betrayed public trust and acted with full awareness of the unlawfulness of his actions. The court also considered two victim impact statements, facilitated by court preparation officer Trott Manghana, which outlined the emotional and financial toll on the victims. In delivering the sentence, the court acknowledged Kwindla's circumstances but stressed the severity of his crimes and their impact on both victims and the broader community. He was sentenced to three years' imprisonment on each count, with the court ordering that, in terms of section 280 of the Criminal Procedure Act, the sentences run concurrently, amounting to an effective eight-year sentence.
8 hours ago
- Politics
Police Detect 889 Threatening Posts Ahead of Upper House Poll
News from Japan Society Jul 24, 2025 16:14 (JST) Tokyo, July 24 (Jiji Press)--Japanese police confirmed a total of 889 menacing online posts, including those threatening attacks on sites of campaign speeches, in the run-up to Sunday's election for the House of Councillors, the upper parliamentary chamber, the National Police Agency said Thursday in a report on security measures for the poll. The report also showed that 140 cutting tools, such as box cutters and scissors, were found through baggage screenings and metal detector checks conducted at almost all speech venues. But all the tools were for work and study, and no one was arrested. In response to a series of attacks by so-called lone offenders in recent years, including the fatal shooting of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, which occurred while he was giving a stump speech in 2022, the NPA set up the first-ever center for integrating threat information regarding such offenders ahead of the Upper House election. Lone offenders carry out terrorist attacks without belonging to groups based on political ideology or religious beliefs. The center took charge of analyzing posts on social media or online bulletin boards as well as information about suspicious persons, with the aim of preventing crimes and reinforcing security. The NPA confirmed the 889 threatening posts through cyber patrol and also thanks to reports from the public between June 16 and Saturday. [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.] Jiji Press
