Latest news with #Mjonondwane
TimesLIVE
3 days ago
- TimesLIVE
Former prosecutor in court on corruption and money laundering charges
Siphokazi Magangana, a former district court prosecutor, and Yandisa Yolanda Jam Jam appeared in the Roodepoort magistrate's court on Tuesday to face charges of corruption and money laundering. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said the charges related to allegations of soliciting money from unsuspecting and vulnerable members of the public desperate for employment. Magangana, previously stationed in the Johannesburg magistrate's court, allegedly duped three people in August 2022 into paying R10,000 each into the bank account belonging to Jam Jam in exchange for securing permanent employment as prosecutors without following due process of being subjected to interviews. 'When this promise was not fulfilled, the three complained in May 2023 to the office for ethics and accountability of the NPA for investigation.' In December 2023, that office recommended the case be referred to the labour relations unit of the NPA for disciplinary action and Magangana be charged with corruption and fraud. Both accused remain in custody and will return to court on Friday for a possible bail hearing. 'The public is warned not to fall prey to false promises as legitimate NPA hiring processes require no payment of any kind,' Mjonondwane said. As a public institution, the NPA followed official and transparent recruitment procedures to fill vacancies which are publicised on the NPA and the department of public service and administration websites, and the NPA social media platforms, Mjonondwane said.
The South African
13-06-2025
- The South African
Bail granted to fraud-accused Sassa employees
Ten suspended employees of the South African Social Security Agency have been granted bail by the Lenasia Magistrates' Court. This comes after 11 Sassa employees were arrested earlier this year, for allegedly defrauding the agency of over R4 million. 'The fourth accused, Ethiopian national Abenezer Tilahyn, was denied bail after the court ruled, he posed a flight risk,' said National Prosecuting Authority Spokesperson, Phindi Mjonondwane. The bail amounts granted to the accused 10 ranged from R10 000 to R30 000 each. The accused were also instructed to surrender their travel documents, as part of the bail conditions. Accused number one in the case is Shumani Khwerana. Together with his co-accused, they face multiple charges ranging from fraud, theft and cyber crime. According to the NPA, the suspended Sassa employees orchestrated a scheme where they created fake Sassa profiles that enabled them to fraudulently deposit and withdraw monies from various SASSA pay points. Prior to the court granting the accused bail, their affidavits from the investigating officer, Constable Manana, and two affidavits from Mazimela Kubeka, a senior internal investigator at SASSA, were reviewed. Mjonondwane said, 'These documents outlined how the accused were implicated in the alleged crimes. The court found no evidence that the ten accused, excluding Tilahyn, were flight risks or that they would interfere with evidence or the investigation. As a precaution, the court prohibited the accused from interfering with the ongoing investigation or any state witnesses. 'The National Prosecuting Authority respects the court's ruling, which marks only a stage in the legal process,' said Mjonondwane. She vowed that the court's ruling would not deter the NPA's commitment to ensuring accountability and transparency within the public sector. The matter has been postponed to 2 September 2025 for further investigation. SASSA also confirmed that the implicated employees no longer had access to any of its systems. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
13-06-2025
- The Citizen
10 of 11 accused in Sassa R260 million fraud case granted bail
Shumani Khwerana and his ten co-accused, eight of whom are Sassa officials, face multiple charges. The 11 accused in the R260 million South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) fraud case. Picture: X/@KayaNews Ten of the 11 accused in the R260 million South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) fraud case have been released on bail. The accused fraudsters returned to the Lenasia Magistrate's Court, south of Johannesburg, on Thursday to continue their bail application. Bail National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said the bail amounts range between R10 000 and R30 000. 'The fourth accused, Ethiopian national Abenezer Tilahyn, was denied bail after the court ruled, he posed a flight risk. The matter has been postponed to 2 September 2025 for further investigation. ALSO READ: 11 accused in Sassa R260 million fraud case to remain behind bars 'As part of the bail conditions, the accused are required to surrender their travel documents and are prohibited from interfering with the ongoing investigation or any state witnesses,' Mjonondwane said. 'No flight risks' Mjonondwane said in considering the bail application, the court reviewed affidavits from the investigating officer, Constable Manana, as well as two affidavits from Mazimela Kubeka, a senior internal investigator at Sassa. 'These documents outlined how the accused were implicated in the alleged crimes. The court found no evidence that the ten accused, excluding Tilahyn, were flight risks or that they would interfere with evidence or the investigation. ALSO READ: Sassa millions 'heist' in Rosebank underground car park 'Sassa confirmed that the implicated employees have been suspended and no longer have access to its systems,' Mjonondwane said. Charges Shumani Khwerana and his ten co-accused, eight of whom are Sassa officials, face multiple charges, including cybercrime, fraud, and theft. Some of the accused who had been previously arrested include Khwerana, Nkhensani Sharon Maluleke, Tshilidzi Ramaphosa and Tilahyn. Fraud scheme The state alleges that the accused are alleged to have orchestrated a sophisticated scheme involving the creation of fake Sassa profiles, from which more than R4 million was allegedly deposited. These profiles were allegedly used to withdraw large sums of money from various Sassa pay points. Mjonondwane said the NPA respects the court's ruling, which marks only a stage in the legal process. 'This development does not deter the NPA's commitment to ensuring accountability and transparency within the public sector,' Mjonondwane said. ALSO READ: 70-year-old Sassa fraudster who stole R100 000 will soon be on trial
TimesLIVE
10-06-2025
- TimesLIVE
School transport driver sentenced to life for raping a 16-year-old pupil
Almost five years after raping a 16-year old pupil, the Protea magistrate's court on Tuesday sentenced Retshidisitsoe Moletsane, 39, a scholar transport driver, to life imprisonment. The court further ordered that the accused be registered in the National Register for Sexual Offences and declared unsuitable to work with children. According to National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane, the incident occurred in November 2020. 'On the day of the incident, the victim finished writing her exam and went to wait for the other children in the taxi. The driver then followed her and undressed her, undressed himself and forcefully had sexual intercourse with the victim. He threatened that if she didn't cooperate, he would call other drivers to also rape her,' Mjonondwane said. She said on another occasion during the same month, Moletsane took the victim from school and instead of dropping her off at home, he raped her again. 'The victim thereafter requested to use the bathroom, the accused then followed her and raped her again. After a few months, the mother of the victim noticed some changes in the child's behaviour, and the victim also attempted suicide several collapsed at school, and eventually related the incident to her mother,' said Mjonondwane. Regional court prosecutor Mmakgadi Mangena said the accused demonstrated no remorse for his actions. The prosecutor highlighted a grave betrayal of trust, especially considering that the victim's mother trusted the accused to transport her to and from school, but he took advantage of her. She further argued that the only appropriate sentence for someone who abused his position is life imprisonment. 'We hope that this sentence brings a measure of justice and will be a step towards healing. We applaud Ms Mangena and investigating officer Sgt Kunene for playing a crucial role in upholding the rights and safety of the most vulnerable,' Mjonondwane said.
IOL News
28-05-2025
- IOL News
Johannesburg court sentences cop killers to multiple life terms
The High Court in Johannesburg sentenced two men to multiple life terms for the murder of two police officers and a CPF member in Boksburg. Image: File The High Court in Johannesburg has handed down multiple life sentences to two men who brutally murdered police officers and a community policing forum member in what the National Prosecuting Authority described as a targeted attack on the state. Njiki Hlulani Mabuza, 31, and Savenore Sihle Ntuli, 29, were sentenced on Monday to three life sentences each for the murders of Sergeant Phillip Kgotso Malahlela, Constable Vusimusi Innocent Batsha, and CPF member Tommy Masuku. The court also handed down an additional 59 years for related crimes, including attempted murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, possession of unlicensed firearms, and ammunition. "The killing of law enforcement officers is not only a heinous crime but also a direct assault on the rule of law, public safety, and the fabric of our democracy," said National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Regional Spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane. "The killing of law enforcement officers is not only a heinous crime but also a direct assault on the rule of law, public safety, and the fabric of our democracy," said National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Regional Spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane. The convictions stem from a series of violent events between July and October 2022. Investigations revealed that the accused were behind the murder of Masuku, a CPF member ambushed and shot in an informal settlement after being accused of cooperating with the police. Four months later, they executed a deadly ambush on police officers retrieving a body in Boksburg. "Such acts threaten the security of all South Africans and undermine efforts to maintain law and order," Mjonondwane said. During the second attack, one officer was gunned down in a bathroom, and another was shot outside the scene. The girlfriend of the deceased civilian was also caught in the crossfire, sustaining two gunshot wounds and suffering permanent abdominal injuries. The suspects also stole service firearms from the fallen officers. "Through diligent prosecution and unwavering commitment, the NPA continues to affirm that attacks on the state and its institutions will be met with the full might of the law," Mjonondwane stated. 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 ✕ Senior State Advocate Zarina Pack told the court that the attack was premeditated and calculated, taking place during what was meant to be a standard police operation. The court agreed, citing the devastating impact of the crimes on the victims, their families, and the country's law enforcement fraternity. The NPA welcomed the ruling as a firm statement against the murder of officers and reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the integrity of South Africa's justice system. "The NPA remains resolute in its mandate to hold perpetrators accountable and ensure that justice is served, especially in cases where those tasked with protecting our communities become targets themselves," Mjonondwane concluded. IOL News Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
