Banawo jailed for 10 years for plotting to kill police general
Former Dundee police captain Roshanlal Banawo has been sentenced to ten years' imprisonment after he was found guilty of conspiring to murder SAPS Umzinyathi head, Major General Frances Slambert.
Newcastle Magistrate, Ian Colditz, also found him unfit to possess a firearm.
The two 204 witnesses, William Dlamini and Sthembiso Mdlalose, who were part of the conspiracy but testified against Banawo for the state, were discharged from prosecution.
A 'Section 204 witness' in South Africa is a person who, under Section 204 of the Criminal Procedure Act, is called to testify against others in exchange for indemnity from prosecution for their own involvement in the same crime. This means they are essentially granted immunity from prosecution for their role in the crime if they testify truthfully and fully.
Banawo was arrested in November 2023 when the plot against Slambert became evident.
Slambert survived at least two assassination attempts on her life between May and August 2023
Banawo, who was dismissed by the SAPS around 2019, has been in custody since his arrest. He is still appealing his dismissal.
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