Latest news with #CriminalProcedureAct
IOL News
12 hours ago
- IOL News
Life sentence for man convicted of brutally murdering girlfriend
Nhlanhla Mathye will serve a life sentence behind bars for the brutal murder of his girlfriend, whom he had dated for just two months. Image: Keran Ducasse A man who had brutally assaulted and murdered his new girlfriend, will serve a life sentence behind bars for the heinous deed, to which he pleaded guilty. This week, the Polokwane High Court sentenced 32-year-old Nhlanhla Gift Mathye from Dennilton to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of his 54-year-old girlfriend. He was also sentenced to an additional 15 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances and 10 years for defeating the ends of justice. The sentences will run concurrently. National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson, Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi, said when pleading to the charges he faced, Mathye said in his statement, made in terms of Section 112(2) of the Criminal Procedure Act, that he and the deceased had been in a romantic relationship for only two months. 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 'On 24 September (last year), she invited him to accompany her on a visit to her AVBOB Funeral Insurance clients in the B90 farm area in the Sekhukhune district. They met at the Groblersdal Mall and drove together to the location. Due to poor road conditions, they left the vehicle and proceeded on foot. 'During the walk, an argument broke out. The deceased allegedly threatened Mathye with a stone, but then fled. Enraged, he chased after her and struck her on the head with a stone, causing her to fall. While she lay on the ground, he continued to strike her head repeatedly with another stone until she was unresponsive and bleeding. Mathye then dragged her body to a nearby river and dumped it,' said Malabi-Dzhangi. After the murder, Mathye took his girlfriend's car, her handbag, and other valuables and drove to his home. He was arrested two days later. 'The following day (after the murder), he used her vehicle to travel to work. He was arrested on 26 September in Groblersdal after security personnel found him in possession of the deceased's belongings. He subsequently confessed to the crime,' said Malabi-Dzhangi. In aggravation of sentence, court preparation officer Morongwe Moife presented a Victim Impact Statement from the deceased's daughter. She described the devastating impact of her mother's death, stating that her mother had been the family's sole provider. The daughter was left to care for her younger sister and said they now struggle to afford necessities like food and electricity. State Advocate Rendani Mulaudzi argued that Mathye's guilty plea was not sincere but rather a response to overwhelming evidence. 'She emphasised that the murder occurred during the early stages of their relationship, a time typically marked by affection and emotional bonding, and urged the court not to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment. The court agreed with the State and imposed the sentence accordingly,' said Malabi-Dzhangi. Advocate Ivy Thenga, Director of Public Prosecutions in the Limpopo Division, welcomed the judgment and commended the prosecution team for their diligence and commitment to justice.
IOL News
3 days ago
- IOL News
Brian Scharneck sentenced to life for the brutal murder of partner Marilyn Maarman
Brian Scharneck will serve life behind bars for the murder of his life partner, Marilyn Maarman, after she allegedly admitted to infidelity. He admitted to violently assaulting her and was arrested the day after she died in the hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries. Image: Independent Newspapers Woman killer, Brian Scharneck, will serve life behind bars for the murder of his life partner, Marilyn Maarman, 38, after a violent assault due to her alleged infidelity. This week, the Nxuba Regional Court (formerly Cradock) sentenced Scharneck, 33, for Maarman's murder, which occurred at their home on Elansdrift Farm, where they cohabited. According to court details, fellow farm employees noticed that Maarman had sustained severe burns to her head and face on September 30, 2023, which raised concerns for her well-being, and they immediately called an ambulance. Eastern Cape division of the National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson, Luxolo Tyali, in a statement, said that Maarman was transported to the hospital but sadly succumbed to her injuries the following day, on October 1, 2023. 'Following her death, allegations emerged that Scharneck had physically assaulted her. During the police investigation, Scharneck confessed to attacking her with a ceramic bowl, kicking her, and punching her with his fists after accusing her of infidelity. In his own words, her admission to the allegation enraged him and led to the violent assault. Scharneck was arrested on 2 October 2023 and later pleaded guilty to the charge of murder in terms of Section 112(2) of the Criminal Procedure Act,' said Tyali. 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 ✕ In arguing for a fitting sentence, Regional Court Prosecutor Makabongwe Seyibokwe highlighted the cruel and sustained nature of the attack, emphasising that gender-based violence has no place in society and must be met with the harshest penalties. 'He pointed out that the victim was attacked in her own home, a place where she should have felt safe, and that the brutality of the assault, carried out by someone she trusted and lived with, demonstrated a complete disregard for her dignity, life, and humanity. 'Seyibokwe added that such acts of domestic violence continue to plague communities and that the courts must send a clear message that offenders will face the full might of the law,' said Tyali. Welcoming the sentence, Eastern Cape Director of Public Prosecutions, Barry Madolo, said: 'This life sentence reflects the NPA's commitment to ensuring justice for victims of gender-based violence. This ruling sends a strong message that such acts of violence will be met with the full might of the law. No person should have to endure violence at the hands of a partner or loved one. We commend the prosecution team and the investigating officers for their swift and thorough work in securing this conviction.' Tyali said they welcomed the sentence imposed on Scharneck for the brutal, gender-based murder of his life partner. 'This outcome affirms the justice system's unwavering commitment to addressing gender-based violence (GBV) with the seriousness it deserves. The sentence sends a strong and unequivocal message that perpetrators of intimate partner violence will face the full might of the law. 'The NPA remains resolute in its pursuit of justice for victims of GBV and in ensuring safe communities for all,' said Tyali.
The Citizen
6 days ago
- The Citizen
3 police officers found guilty of soliciting a bribe
The KZN Serious Corruption Investigation component of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) secured a conviction in a high-profile corruption matter involving three police officials. The accused, Madoda Mduduzi Mhlongo (56), Siyabonga Herbert Mabhida (51) and Prince Ntsikelelo Shezi (50), who were attached to the Provincial Taxi Violence unit in Durban, were found guilty by the Durban Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Wednesday. The trio was remanded in custody for sentencing on 19 June. ALSO READ: 3 cops charged for defeating the ends of Justice It was reported that on 13 March 2019, the victim was approached by the three police officials who alleged that they were under pressure from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to arrest two suspects for the murder of key witnesses in a case they were investigating. The officials solicited a bribe of R200 000 from the victim in lieu of preventing the arrests. The trio warned that failure to pay would result in the suspects being arrested that same night. Later that evening, the police officials arrived at one of the suspect's homes, reinforcing the threat. The matter was reported to the Serious Corruption Investigation component's head office. A police operation was authorised in terms of Section 252A of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977 (Act No. 51 of 1977), and on 29 March 2019, the three implicated police officials, who were all warrant officers, were arrested after receiving the R200 000. The trio appeared in the Durban Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on 1 April 2019 and were released on R10 000 bail each. Their trial commenced on 1 March 2021 and ran over an extended period until they were found guilty of corruption. Don't have the ZO app? Download it to your Android or Apple device here: HAVE YOUR SAY Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter. For news straight to your phone invite us: WhatsApp – 060 784 2695 Instagram – zululand_observer At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
13-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
NPA heads to the Supreme Court of Appeal over Cholota ruling appeal
The National Prosecuting Authority is set to petition the Supreme Court of Appeal following a controversial dismissal by Judge Loubser of their application for leave to appeal. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is set to petition the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) following a controversial dismissal by Judge Loubser of their application for leave to appeal. The ruling has drawn attention as it relates to the jurisdictional authority of the Free State Division of the High Court to hear the case against Moraidi Cholota, who has been implicated in the ongoing asbestos scandal that has plagued the region. The judgement, handed down by Loubser J, has been met with considerable concern from the prosecution team, which had urged the Honourable Judge to reserve pivotal questions of law for consideration by the SCA under Section 319 of the Criminal Procedure Act. According to the NPA, the judge's decision not only undermined the legal process but also initiated a potential gap in justice surrounding the serious allegations presented in the case.
IOL News
13-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
NPA heads to SCA over Cholota ruling appeal
The National Prosecuting Authority is set to petition the Supreme Court of Appeal following a controversial dismissal by Judge Loubser of their application for leave to appeal. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is set to petition the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) following a controversial dismissal by Judge Loubser of their application for leave to appeal. The ruling has drawn attention as it relates to the jurisdictional authority of the Free State Division of the High Court to hear the case against Moraidi Cholota, who has been implicated in the ongoing asbestos scandal that has plagued the region. The judgement, handed down by Loubser J, has been met with considerable concern from the prosecution team, which had urged the Honourable Judge to reserve pivotal questions of law for consideration by the SCA under Section 319 of the Criminal Procedure Act. According to the NPA, the judge's decision not only undermined the legal process but also initiated a potential gap in justice surrounding the serious allegations presented in the case.
