NPA and ID come under fire for lack of progress

NPA headquarters
JOHANNESBURG - The National Prosecuting Authority and the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption have come under fire for the slow pace at which they deal with cases.
The NPA says it's unfair to judge the institution based on a few high-profile cases.
As of now, there have been no successful prosecutions in State Capture-linked cases, but the ID says it has a new strategy.

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IOL News

2 hours ago

• IOL News

Plettenberg Bay court hands down 20-year sentence for brutal attack on elderly couple

The aftermath of the violent robbery that shocked the Plettenberg Bay community, leading to a 20-year prison sentence for the perpetrator. Image: Supplied The Plettenberg Bay Regional Court has sentenced a man to 20 years direct imprisonment following his conviction for an attack on an elderly couple who were robbed. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Eric Ntabazalila, said a panga-wielding Cole Bruiners robbed the couple in January 2024, as they walked along Challenge Drive. He wanted to rob the woman of her bag, but she resisted. Ntabazalila said a struggle ensued, and Bruiners assaulted her with the panga, leaving her with bruises and cuts on her upper body. He also stabbed her husband on the head as he tried to stop the robbery, leaving the husband with a laceration to the left side of his skull. "The accused took the couple's hats before he fled," Ntabazalila said. "The incident was caught on CCTV cameras, and the footage was widely circulated. He was recognised by a member of the community forum, and a search ensued for his arrest. "He was arrested the following day, and the police found him with the panga. He cooperated with members of the community forum and the police and pointed out where he sold the stolen items. "The couple's items were later recovered." 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 ✕ The court sentenced Bruiners to 15 years direct imprisonment for each count of robbery with aggravating circumstances and ordered the second count of robbery with aggravating circumstances to run concurrently with the first count of the same crime. He was effectively sentenced to 20 years direct imprisonment. "The NPA welcomes the conviction and sentencing of a man who targeted and terrorised an elderly couple in Plettenberg Bay. This sentence sends a strong message that crimes against vulnerable members of society will not be tolerated and will be met with the full force of the law. The NPA remains committed to ensuring justice and the protection of all communities, especially the elderly," Ntabazalila said. Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel. Cape Argus

The Citizen

3 hours ago

• The Citizen

Extradition request to get Gupta brothers back gains momentum

South Africa's extradition request to the UAE was rebuffed for flimsy procedural reasons. In a matter that has been dragging on for years, the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) is hoping that the Gupta brothers will soon be in South Africa to face a raft of charges. IDAC is expected to submit a new extradition application for the Gupta brothers to be hauled back to South Africa from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in a 'strategic initiative.' Extradition South Africa's extradition request to the UAE was rebuffed in April 2023 for flimsy procedural reasons, and without sufficient explanation, after Atul and Rajesh Gupta were quietly let off the hook months before. Following an outcry, the South African authorities were simply told to 'resubmit the application'. In November of last year, the extradition request again ended in failure due to issues with jurisdiction. ALSO READ: Gupta arrests: Turning state's witness could put brothers' lives in danger Hiding in UAE IDAC head Andrea Johnson said they will now submit a new extradition application. 'When we resubmit an application now, we've got to resubmit an application with all of the other matters that has since been investigated so that we can do it in on shot'. WATCH: Advocate Andrea Johnson speaking about the Gupta brothers extradition The Investigating Directorate will soon submit a fresh extradition application, for the Gupta brothers to be brought back from the UAE. Emirates authorities rejected the previous application, submitted in November last year. #Guptas #eNCA — eNCA (@eNCA) June 23, 2025 Johnson said Rajesh and Atul are still hiding out in the UAE. 'From what we understand, yes. I do believe that they do perhaps from time to time go to India. Be that as it may, our extradition applications would perhaps have to be more than just the UAE. It would depend at the time of the execution of the application, we would be most certainly looking at where are they and send those applications to the relevant authorities'. Zuptas Rajesh and Atul, friends of former president Jacob Zuma, are accused of using their relationship with the former president to profit financially and influence senior government appointments. They were arrested in the UAE in June 2022 after Interpol placed them on its most wanted list. The Guptas and the Zumas, famously named 'The Zuptas', were fingered in state capture. Witnesses alleged they worked together to siphon money from Transnet, Eskom, and Denel, and made decisions about who was to be appointed to Cabinet. Zuma and the Guptas have persistently denied wrongdoing. ALSO READ: Zuma and entire ANC must be sweating bullets after Gupta brothers' arrest Spilling the beans While many want a speedy extradition of the brothers to South Africa, political analyst Ralph Mathekga believes the Guptas might be in danger when they set foot on South African soil, because of the information they possess about the African National Congress (ANC) and top politicians. Mathekga previously told The Citizen that politics in South Africa would be unravelled if the Guptas are extradited. 'They will be having to speak the truth, and it's a dangerous thing for the ANC. I won't be surprised if someone tries to kill them. This thing is big, it goes deep into the party, so look at what happened to the likes of Gavin Watson.' 'When you are becoming a liability and in a moment such as this, when the ANC is at this crossroad, ANC members will not be enticed. We've seen how they kill each other, I don't think there will be a problem,' Mathekga said. Gupta threat Gareth Newham, head of the Justice and Violence Prevention Program at the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) said there may be people, possibly even Zuma that were implicated in state capture and would see the Guptas as a threat. 'That would be dependent on whether they would be willing to relay information, and considering that they would want to avoid spending the rest of their lives in prison, I can't imagine they would be very keen to give that information up.' 'What they would be doing with their billions is trying to ensure like our former president that they use every possible legal channel available, the 'Stalingrad Strategy' so to speak, to try and avoid standing trial and then they would try and make sure they are acquitted by not cooperating and providing potentially plausible narrative or evidence as to why they are not guilty of any crime,' said Newham. Newham said, given the value of the Gupta brothers to the South African government, the fugitives from justice would be under intense protection against any attacks. ALSO READ: SCA overturns Nulane accused's acquittal and orders retrial

IOL News

6 hours ago

• IOL News

Double life sentence for man who raped and stabbed Northern Cape schoolgirls

A Northern Cape man was sentenced to two life terms and an additional 45 years by the Mothibistad Regional Court. Image: Morgan Morgan / DALL-E A man involved in a brutal attack on two schoolgirls in a Northern Cape village has been sentenced to two life terms and an additional 45 years in prison. NPA regional spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane said that Thabo Gift Magwatane, 33, was handed the hefty sentence by the Mothibistad Regional Court this week for a string of serious offences, including rape, kidnapping, attempted murder and housebreaking. The charges relate to a night of terror in February 2022 in Dithakong village, where two matric learners, aged 17 and 18, were targeted in their residence. Magwatane and three accomplices reportedly forced their way into the house, cut the power, and demanded money and phones. After taking R100 and two cellphones, the attackers escalated their cruelty - forcing the girls to strip, blindfolding them, and leading them out into the veld wearing only sandals. There, the girls were subjected to repeated rape by more than one of the attackers. Their ordeal worsened when they were stabbed multiple times in what appeared to be an attempt to kill them. One girl was stabbed again after briefly regaining consciousness - only pretending to be dead saved her life. 'After the [sexual] assaults, one perpetrator ordered another to stab the victims, who were attacked repeatedly across their upper bodies. As they collapsed, their blindfolds were removed, and the perpetrators fled. When one survivor stood up, the perpetrators returned, stabbing her multiple times with instructions to 'finish her off',' said Senokoatsane. Video Player is loading. 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Next Stay Close ✕ During this second attack, a cellphone alarm went off - allowing one of the victims, who was feigning death, to catch a glimpse of one of her attackers as he tried to switch it off. She recognised him as her cousin's boyfriend - Magwatane. After the attackers fled, the two survivors lay motionless in the veld for nearly half an hour before mustering the strength to help each other find assistance. Turned away at one home, they pressed on to another, where residents took them in, gave them blankets, and contacted their parents. Both girls were later admitted to the ICU, where they spent three weeks undergoing reconstructive surgery and recovering from their extensive injuries. Magwatane evaded capture for nearly two years before he was finally arrested in Rustenburg in early 2024. He faced multiple charges, including housebreaking with intent to steal and theft, as well as the kidnapping and rape of the 18-year-old victim. He was also charged with kidnapping, rape, and attempted murder of the 17-year-old. A second suspect, 25-year-old Obakeng Mosesane, remains in custody, with his trial scheduled for July 2, 2025. The two cases were separated after Magwatane absconded during the initial proceedings. Trauma, survival, and a fight for justice With Magwatane finally in the dock, the court proceedings laid bare the full horror of the crimes. 'Regional court prosecutor Bernice Bronkhorst-Oor presented a compelling case, supported by victim impact statements compiled with court preparation officer Beauty Moreeng. These statements detailed the survivors' profound physical and emotional trauma, including their ongoing fear and loss of safety in their own homes. Bronkhorst-Oor argued that the brutality of the crimes and their lasting impact far outweighed Magwatane's circumstances. The Kuruman Hospital Thuthuzela Care Centre (TCC) played a pivotal role, providing psychosocial support and preparing the survivors for court,' said Senokoatsane. The prosecution maintained that there were no substantial or compelling reasons to warrant anything less than the mandatory life sentences for the rape charges. The magistrate concurred, describing the victims' survival as 'by God's grace' and labelling Magwatane a 'dangerous individual' who should be permanently removed from society. Magwatane was sentenced to five years for housebreaking and theft, 10 years each for two counts of kidnapping, and two life terms for the rapes. He also received 10 years each for two counts of attempted murder. All sentences will run concurrently. In addition, he was declared unfit to possess a firearm and placed on the National Register for Sex Offenders - further measures to safeguard the public. Senokoatsane said the NPA praised both young women for their courage and determination throughout the trial process. This outcome sends a powerful message: the NPA will relentlessly pursue justice for GBV survivors, ensuring perpetrators face the full might of the law. The expansion of TCCs from 55 in 2020/21 to 66 today reflects the NPA's commitment to providing comprehensive support to victims of sexual violence, he added. Senokoatsane further urged the public to report all gender-based violence and support survivors in seeking help 'The NPA urges communities to stand against GBV by reporting crimes promptly and supporting survivors through TCCs, which offer medical, psychological, and legal assistance. The survivors' persistence in seeking help, despite initial rejection, and their parents' swift response highlight the critical role of collective action. 'The NPA calls for increased vigilance to protect learners and vulnerable populations, fostering a South Africa where everyone can live free from violence and fear.' Cape Argus