Latest news with #Nyuswa
The Citizen
07-08-2025
- The Citizen
Ermelo Court sentence a 41-year-old to life for raping his teen daughter's friend
The Ermelo Regional Court sentenced a 41-year-old man to life imprisonment on Monday, August 4 for the rape of his daughter's friend in 2024. The accused pleaded guilty to the offence and was subsequently convicted. His daughter and the victim were both 16 years old when the incident occurred on March 25, 2024. According to the provincial spokesperson of the National Prosecuting Authority, Monica Nyuswa, the victim visited the man's daughter and had a sleepover at his house. ALSO READ: Bullets fly as robbers storm church near Hazyview In the evening the victim and her friend went to a local pub, where they consumed alcohol and were later joined by the accused. 'The friend became intoxicated and the convict took them home. When they arrived at his home, they fell asleep on the couches. During the night the convict took the victim to his bedroom and raped her. His daughter witnessed her father taking the victim and saw her in his bed,' said Nyuswa. The victim reported the rape at the Ermelo Thuthuzela Care Centre, where she received medical and psychological support and legal assistance. In aggravation of the sentence, State Prosecutor Chané Rothman handed in two victim impact statements facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Faith Masingo, compiled by the victim and the convict's daughter. ALSO READ: Services disrupted at Mbombela licensing centre Nyuswa said the victim stated that she suffered a severe depressive episode and even tried to commit suicide. The man's daughter blamed herself and wished that it had happened to her, not her best friend. Rothman argued that the accused was in a position of trust as the victim's parents permitted her to visit and sleep over, stating that the accused was supposed to reprimand the victim and her friend about underage drinking, and that his actions were despicable. ALSO READ: Breyten man convicted of murder Further to that, Rothman pointed out the prevalence of sexual offences in the court's jurisdiction, and that women and children need to be protected. 'The court found no compelling or substantial circumstances to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence of life,' Nyuswa said. The court declared the convict unsuitable to work with children and ordered that his name be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders.
The Citizen
05-08-2025
- The Citizen
Barberton Court grants bail to 26 suspected illegal miners
More than 480 individuals, including four juveniles, appeared in the Barberton Magistrate's Court on August 4 following a major crackdown on illegal mining. The accused are facing a range of serious charges, including trespassing, theft of gold-bearing material, and contravention of the Immigration Act. According to Monica Nyuswa, the spokesperson for the Mpumalanga National Prosecuting Authority, the accused were apprehended at the Sheba Mine in Barberton. ALSO READ: WATCH: About 1 000 suspected illegal miners arrested in Barberton 'The arrests were made on Friday, August 1, during a joint operation between Sheba Mine and the police. The operation is part of the ongoing, multi-agency initiative known as Vala Umgodi, which is specifically designed to disrupt and dismantle illegal mining syndicates operating in the region. ALSO READ: Over 1 000 illegal miners arrested across Lowveld 'During the proceedings, the court granted bail of R2 000 each to 26 of the accused. This decision was based on several factors, including the fact that they have no previous convictions, possess fixed addresses, and have no pending cases. These accused were strongly warned against committing any further offences while on bail,' Nyuswa said. #sapsMP [DEVELOPING] Approximately 1000 (or even more) illegal immigrants were apprehended at a certain mine in Barberton today, Friday 01/08 during Operation Vala Umgodi. The collaboration between the National Roving team, K9 (Dog) Unit, Task Force, Vukalanga Security, members… — SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) August 2, 2025 Nyuswa also the state has indicated its intention to oppose bail for all other accused who have previous convictions or pending cases. The remaining individuals have been remanded in custody. The matter has been postponed to August 11 and 12 to allow for the verification of addresses and for possible bail applications.
TimesLIVE
05-08-2025
- TimesLIVE
26 illegal miners granted bail in Barberton court
Twenty-six of more than 480 people arrested in a major illegal mining crackdown in Barberton have been granted bail. The Barberton magistrate's court on Monday released the 26 on R2,000 bail each after the court considered they had no previous convictions, had fixed addresses and no pending cases. They are among hundreds arrested during a joint operation between Sheba Mine and police on Friday, as part of the ongoing Vala Umgodi operation targeting illegal mining syndicates. The arrests included four juveniles. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Monica Nyuswa said 'they face charges, including trespassing, theft of gold-bearing material and contravention of the Immigration Act'. Nyuswa said the court warned those granted bail not to commit any offence while on release. 'The state intends to oppose bail for those with previous convictions and pending cases,' she said. The remaining accused were remanded. The case was postponed to August 11 and 12 for address verification and possible further bail applications. The NPA said illegal mining has a negative effect on the economy and society, posing risks to health and safety and contributing to environmental degradation.
The Citizen
26-07-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Mbombela business owner convicted of fraud
A 38-year-old woman has been sentenced to 36 months' imprisonment for fraud by the Mpumalanga Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Mbombela on Tuesday, July 15. Philisiwe Miriam Pretty Lephoko, the sole director of Premax Trading 43 CC, was convicted under Section 276(1)(i) of the Criminal Procedure Act. Her company was also fined R100 000, a fine wholly suspended for five years on condition that she is not convicted of fraud or theft during this period. According to the National Prosecuting Authority's (NPA) provincial spokesperson, Monica Nyuswa, Lephoko submitted fraudulent Pay-As-You-Earn returns to the South African Revenue Service (Sars) in February 2019, resulting in an undue payment of R464 550.28 into the company's account. The fraud was uncovered during a Sars audit, leading to her arrest in 2023. ALSO READ: Secunda Regional Court sentences rapist to life for raping 8-year-old girl Nyuswa said Lephoko pleaded not guilty and claimed to be a victim of cybercrime. However, the court rejected this version. Advocates Ntwanano Singwane and Kutullo Nyakane presented oral and documentary evidence from Sars and the bank, detailing how Lephoko transferred R200 000 from the Premax account into her personal account. 'The court found the State's witnesses credible and reliable, and dismissed the accused's explanation as a theoretical defence with no substance,' said Nyuswa. ALSO READ: Two guests injured in road accident in Kruger National Park In sentencing, the court noted Lephoko showed no remorse and continued to shift blame despite overwhelming evidence. It also emphasised the prevalence of tax-related fraud and the need for a strong deterrent.
The Citizen
21-07-2025
- The Citizen
Belfast man sentenced for rape and theft he committed 17 years ago
Belfast man sentenced for rape and theft he committed 17 years ago A 35-year-old man was sentenced to life imprisonment for rape, and an additional three years for theft, in the Belfast Regional Court last Wednesday. Kenneth Magagula (35) was sentenced for raping a woman and stealing her cellphone in Mthonjeni near Machadodorp on October 28, 2008. According to the National Prosecuting Authority's (NPA) provincial spokesperson, Monica Nyuswa, the court ordered Magagula's inclusion on the National Register for Sex Offenders and declared him unfit to possess a firearm. ALSO READ: Teenage girl found dead in Tjakastad following a night of drinking 'The case highlighted the importance of persistence in investigations and community co-operation in delivering justice. Despite the incident occurring 17 years ago, the NPA's efforts, combined with effective police work, finally brought closure to the victim,' she said. ALSO READ: Two arrested for cellphone theft during Boks match at Mbombela Stadium Nyuswa said the Mpumalanga director of public prosecutions, Sonja Ntuli, praised the prosecutor and investigating team, stating that the sentence affirms their relentless pursuit of gender-based violence perpetrators, ensuring accountability and restoring dignity for victims – no matter how long it takes. Nyuswa said the NPA's collaboration with Thuthuzela Care Centre provided much-needed psychosocial support to the victim, reflecting its victim-centric approach. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
