Latest news with #Tyali
IOL News
13-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Gqeberha shop manager fined R87,000 for selling counterfeit Apple accessories
Apple Logo Manager of HOCO (Pty) Ltd in Gqeberha, was fined R87 000 by the Regional Court for selling counterfeit Apple accessories. Image: Nicholas Kamm / AFP The manager of a Gqeberha cellphone accessories shop has been slapped with an R87,000 fine after admitting to selling counterfeit Apple products, following a successful prosecution by the Specialised Commercial Crimes Unit. Harrikumar Patel, who managed HOCO (Pty) Ltd operating from Shop 32 in Walmer Park Shopping Centre, pleaded guilty to charges under the Counterfeit Goods Act and the Trademarks Act. The Gqeberha Regional Court confirmed his conviction after a lawful search of the store on March 28 uncovered 145 counterfeit Apple-branded items, including iPhone covers, charging cables, power banks, car chargers, and port adapters. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Regional Spokesperson Luxolo Tyali said the fake products infringed on the intellectual property rights of Apple Inc., a US-based company. The complaint was lodged by Apple Inc., represented in South Africa by attorney Jarred West from Spoor & Fisher in Centurion. 'The investigation revealed that the imported goods bore imitation trademarks likely to mislead consumers into believing the products were genuine Apple merchandise,' Tyali said. Regional Prosecutor Shumeez September-Moodley, who led the case, stressed the importance of protecting consumers and intellectual property holders from the harms associated with counterfeit products. Barry Madolo, Eastern Cape Director of Public Prosecutions, welcomed the ruling stating that this outcome reinforces the commitment of the NPA and its partners to combat intellectual property crime and protect legitimate businesses and consumers from the dangers of counterfeit goods, as well as prevent further detriment to the economy of the country. Tyali said the case serves as a warning to those involved in counterfeiting. 'This case sends a clear message that trademark infringement, and counterfeiting will not be tolerated in the Eastern Cape or anywhere in South Africa,' he said. IOL News Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
IOL News
01-05-2025
- IOL News
Sexually abused daughter's resilience ensures dad's lengthy jail sentence
The High Court of South Africa, Eastern Cape Division in Gqeberha, has delivered a harsh sentence for a father convicted of child pornography. Image: File AN Eastern Cape father has been sentenced to two life terms behind bars and an additional 3 713 years imprisonment following his conviction on more than 700 counts relating to rape, sexual assault, and sexual grooming. The 56-year-old man who sexually exploited his daughter was recently sentenced at the High Court of South Africa, Eastern Cape Division in Gqeberha. He faced an extensive compilation of counts which included rape, sexual assault, sexual grooming, human trafficking, possession, production and procuring of child pornography, and exposing children and a person living with mental disability to pornography. After initially pleading not guilty, he made certain admissions in terms of Section 220 of the Criminal Procedure Act, according to National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Luxolo Tyali. The father, whose name is being withheld to protect the child, committed his crimes from 2015 to 2022, primarily at his home in Jeffreys Bay, in which the primary complainant was his daughter. 'The primary complainant, his biological daughter, was first exposed to pornography at the age of 10. As the abuse escalated, she was subjected to repeated sexual exploitation by the accused and her adolescent half-brother. The accused not only participated in the abuse but also recorded the acts and directed them. He later distributed the content through digital platforms to unidentified third parties. 'Investigations uncovered extensive digital evidence, including thousands of images and videos stored across multiple devices. These included a cellphone, laptop, hard drives, and USB devices containing graphic material involving both known and unknown minors, some as young as toddlers. Children were depicted nude or semi-nude, engaging in sexual acts often under coercion,' said Tyali. The investigation and arrest of the Jeffrey's Bay father were prompted by a report from one of the minor victims, his biological daughter, who disclosed the abuse to a relative. Image: File According to court details, the exploitation was not limited to the daughter; other children in the household were also groomed and abused. In certain instances, the man instructed his minor son to sell images and videos of the abuse to external clients. 'His arrest on 1 September 2022 in Jeffreys Bay was prompted by a report from one of the minor victims, his biological daughter, who disclosed the abuse to a relative. A broader pattern of systemic exploitation and criminal conduct within the family unit soon emerged. The accused was found to have used his authority and position of trust to manipulate and abuse the minors in his care,' said Tyali. Tyali said Senior State Advocate, Ismat Cerfontein, argued that the crimes committed were among the most severe and sustained forms of abuse the court had encountered. She emphasised the premeditated nature of the offences, the deliberate grooming of the victims, and the use of technology to document and distribute the abuse.
IOL News
01-05-2025
- IOL News
Eastern Cape father sentenced to life for child exploitation and pornography
The High Court of South Africa, Eastern Cape Division in Gqeberha, has delivered a harsh sentence for a father convicted of child pornography. Image: File A 56-year-old man who sexually exploited his minor daughter will serve two life terms behind bars and an additional 3 713 years imprisonment following his conviction on more than 700 counts relating to rape, sexual assault, and sexual grooming. The man was sentenced at the High Court of South Africa, Eastern Cape Division in Gqeberha, said National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Luxolo Tyali. The man was sentenced after facing an extensive compilation of counts which included rape, sexual assault, sexual grooming, human trafficking, possession, production and procuring of child pornography, and exposing children and a person living with mental disability to pornography. The accused pleaded not guilty. However, he made certain admissions in terms of Section 220 of the Criminal Procedure Act. Tyali said the offences were allegedly committed from 2015 to 2022, primarily at the accused's home in Jeffreys Bay, in which the primary complainant was his daughter. 'The primary complainant, his biological daughter, was first exposed to pornography at the age of 10. As the abuse escalated, she was subjected to repeated sexual exploitation by the accused and her adolescent half-brother. The accused not only participated in the abuse but also recorded the acts and directed them. He later distributed the content through digital platforms to unidentified third parties. 'Investigations uncovered extensive digital evidence, including thousands of images and videos stored across multiple devices. These included a cellphone, laptop, hard drives, and USB devices containing graphic material involving both known and unknown minors, some as young as toddlers. Children were depicted nude or semi-nude, engaging in sexual acts often under coercion,' said Tyali. The investigation and arrest of the Jeffrey's Bay father were prompted by a report from one of the minor victims, his biological daughter, who disclosed the abuse to a relative. Image: File According to court details, the exploitation was not limited to the primary complainant; other children in the household were also groomed and abused. In certain instances, the accused instructed his minor son to sell images and videos of the abuse to external clients. 'His arrest on 1 September 2022 in Jeffreys Bay was prompted by a report from one of the minor victims, his biological daughter, who disclosed the abuse to a relative. A broader pattern of systemic exploitation and criminal conduct within the family unit soon emerged. The accused was found to have used his authority and position of trust to manipulate and abuse the minors in his care,' said Tyali. Tyali said Senior State Advocate, Ismat Cerfontein, argued that the crimes committed were among the most severe and sustained forms of abuse the court had encountered. She emphasised the premeditated nature of the offences, the deliberate grooming of the victims, and the use of technology to document and distribute the abuse.
BBC News
02-04-2025
- BBC News
South African court clear Nigerian pastor of rape and human trafficking charges afta eight years
One South African court don declare one Nigerian televangelist wey bin chop accuse of rape, human trafficking, racketeering, and sexual assault, not guilty. Eastern Cape High Court judge, Irma Schoeman clear Timothy Omotoso, di senior pastor of di Jesus Dominion International church wey get base for South Africa of all di 32 charges wey Eastern Cape National Prosecuting Authority sama am. Di judge also clear di two church members, Lusanda Sulani and Zukiswa Sulani wey chop accuse say dem play major role for di charges. For her ruling on Wednesday di judge say di prosecution no handle di case well-well. "No thought bin go into di state cross examination of di accused. Di cross examination dey shallow and e lack di intention to uncover di truth." News 24 bin quote di judge. Schoeman tok say while di pastor explanations no follow, state prosecutors still no fit prove beyond reasonable doubt dia case against him and im two assistants. Di judgement dey come, eight years afta dem throw di 66-year-old senior pastor plus two co-accused for jail on top accuse of multiple charges, wey include say dem dey lure young women come dia church and sexually abuse dem. Di trial wey last for eight years na one of di most high-profile sexual abuse cases in recent years, wey dey marred by repeated delay, changes in legal representation, judicial recusals, and several attempts by Omotoso defence team to throw way di case comot from court. Oga Omotoso, wey dem arrest for 2017, bin fall to im knees and and e appear like say e dey pray afta di judge find am not guilty of all charges, wey include sexual exploitation and human trafficking. Di church leader, plus di co-accused, Lusanda Solani and Zukiswa Sitho, wey stand bifor di court on Wednesday morning go now walk free afta one long legal battle. Reports say di state bin present traumatic testimonies from survivors, wey give details on how Pastor Omotoso allegedly use im position to manipulate young women into sexual acts, some as young as 14 years old. According to Eastern Cape National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional tok-tok pesin, Luxolo Tyali, wey South African News quote, e say; "E dey alleged say Omotoso, wey pipo dey address as 'di man of God', na di leader of di Jesus Dominion International (JDI) church and di co-accused be im assistants. JDI get major branches in South Africa, Nigeria, and Israel, and dia headquarters dey for Durban. "Di complainants na either congregants, employees or pipo dem select to take part for di activities of di church wen dem recruit dem under di guise say dem go benefit spiritually or improve di quality of dia lives. Omotoso allegedly directly or indirectly through im co-accused, bin pay and arrange for di complainants to travel to im hotel for, Durban, Israel, or Nigeria," Tyali tok. Once dem land di destination, Tyali explain say dem go allegedly instruct di complaints to switch off dia phones. "Di tok-tok pesin allege say dem go hide di complainants plus oda female church members for one room wia dem go also slept. Omotoso go allegedly select one of di complainants to go to im private bedroom wia e go rape or sexually assault dem," e add. Tori be say plenty pipo plus Omotoso supporters bin full di court wen judge dey read out di ruling. Di judgement don already sparked outrage from women's rights groups and odas wey argue say justice no dey served. Di National Prosecuting Authority tok say di judge wey declare Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso and im two co-accused innocent do so on a technicality and na for dat reason, di state go study di judgment and decide which legal avenues to explore. Eastern Cape social development MEC Bukiwe Fanta express her disappointment for di acquittal. She say di ruling don leave many pipo for di community feeling disheartened and e don raise significant concerns about di challenges faced for di fight against gender-based violence. Tim Omotoso na di founder of di Tim Omotoso Global Outreach (T.O.G.O) is an Apostolic and Prophetic ministry and lead pastor of di Jesus Dominion International (JDI). According to di informate on im outreach website, Omotoso describe imsef as a prophet.
