Latest news with #PhillipSeboleMasango
News24
26-06-2025
- News24
Man accused of threatening Ramaphosa, Cape Town mayor referred for psychiatric evaluation
Phillip Sebole Masango, who is accused of threatening President Cyril Ramaphosa and Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, has been referred to Valkenberg Hospital for psychiatric evaluation. The 28-year-old appeared calm during his court appearance on Thursday. Masango, who also faces assault charges, was arrested in Germiston following a Hawks investigation. The man accused of threatening President Cyril Ramaphosa and Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis will spend the next 30 days at Valkenberg Hospital for observation. This after a brief report on 28-year-old Phillip Sebole Masango's mental health was submitted to the Cape Town Magistrate's Court on Thursday. Masango appeared calmer in court on Thursday compared to his demeanour at his last appearance, where he had angrily rejected family members' claims that he may have a mental disorder. At Thursday's appearance, State advocate Mujaahid Sadan told the court Masango should undergo a 30-day mental health evaluation. Masango attempted to address the court, pulling out two pages and what looked like a business card from his pocket. But he was denied the opportunity to speak. His attorney later took the documents from him. The contents were not read in court. Neither were the full details of the report. The defence did not oppose the request for a psychiatric referral. Masango remains in custody and is expected back in court on 25 July, coinciding with the completion of his psychiatric assessment. He is accused of sending threatening voice notes in May 2025, in which he allegedly incited violence and threatened to kill Ramaphosa and Hill-Lewis. He also faces assault charges related to incidents involving three people, including former radio personality Kieno Kammies. Masango was arrested in Germiston and transported to Cape Town. The Hawks' Crimes Against the State unit took over the case, following a complaint by an unnamed Cape Town-based CEO who he had also allegedly threatened. A court order prohibiting the publication of Masango's face remains in place.
News24
12-06-2025
- General
- News24
Man accused of threatening Ramaphosa, Hill-Lewis to undergo psychiatric evaluation
Phillip Sebole Masango/Crunchbase Be among those who shape the future with knowledge. Uncover exclusive stories that captivate your mind and heart with our FREE 14-day subscription trial. Dive into a world of inspiration, learning, and empowerment. You can only trial once.
IOL News
02-06-2025
- 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
IOL News
02-06-2025
- 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.
