Latest news with #Slambert
The Citizen
14-05-2025
- The Citizen
‘It's a joke': KZN detective guilty of plotting commissioner's murder dismisses 10-year sentence
The Newcastle Regional Court on Wednesday found Roshlanal Banawo guilty of conspiracy to commit murder. Former police detective Captain Roshanel Banawo has been found guilty of plotting the murder of Umzinyathi District Commissioner Major General Francis Slambert. Banawo appeared in the Newcastle Regional Court on Wednesday, which found that he had conspired to kill Slambert. The former police captain was sentenced to 10 years in jail. His defence asked for a wholly suspended sentence. When asked about his reaction to the sentence, Banawo dismissively responded: 'It's a joke.' He was responding to questions from the media inside the court. Banawo denied plotting to kill Slambert. Former SAPS Detective Captain Roshanlal Banawo has been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment after being found of plotting to murder former Mountain Rise police station commander Major-General Francis Slambert. Read full story here: #kzn #Police — The Witness (@WitnessKZN) May 14, 2025 The former detective was arrested on 26 November 2023, when Francis' assassination plans were revealed by the KZN task team. KZN detective's conviction details Banawo was found guilty on one count of conspiracy to commit murder but acquitted on a second charge of incitement to murder. The former police captain has been in custody since his arrest in November 2023, having been denied bail on three separate occasions. The case began formal proceedings on 10 September 2024, after being transferred to the provincial organised crime unit for thorough investigation following his initial arrest. ALSO READ: JMPD takes action against illegal and unsafe delivery bikers, 10 foreign nationals arrested Mystery surrounding motive for murder Despite the conviction, authorities have not yet established why Banawo plotted to kill the District Commissioner. According to The Witness, Magistrate Theunis Colditz, delivering the judgment, stated: 'For some reason which is not clear, the accused seems to have some sort of obsession with the complainant. 'I don't understand why he had a grudge against her—she was not involved in his dismissal.' Banawo was dismissed from the South African Police Service (Saps) in 2021 after illicit substances were found in his home. He was subsequently arrested in November 2023 following intelligence that revealed alleged attempts to assassinate Major General Slambert. ALSO READ: Why Chris Hani's killer went free but Alison Botha's rapists went back to jail Multiple assassination attempts The court reportedly heard details of a 'chilling case' involving at least two alleged attempts on Slambert's life. Between May and August 2023, Slambert survived two assassination attempts while serving as district commissioner in Dundee. She had previously worked as a station commander at Peter Maritzburg's Mountain Rise Police Station. Financial incentives for hitmen Witnesses reportedly testified that Banawo had offered R50,000 to hired hitmen to carry out the assassination. The court acknowledged there were inconsistencies in the testimonies of the hitmen. 'Although the testimonies of the two hired hitmen were inconsistent and must be treated with caution—as they were accomplice witnesses—there was sufficient evidence to support the charge of conspiracy to commit murder,' Colditz explained. The court rejected Banawo's claim that he had been set up and that witnesses were used to entrap him. NOW READ: Millions unaccounted for as ex-mine bosses face court over fraud
The Citizen
14-05-2025
- The Citizen
Former Dundee police captain sentenced for conspiracy to murder SAPS head
Former Dundee police captain Roshanlal Banawo has been sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment after being found guilty of conspiring to murder SAPS Umzinyathi head Major-General Francis Slambert. Dundee Courier reports that Newcastle Magistrate Ian Colditz also found Banawo unfit to possess a firearm. The two Section 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 51 of 1977, 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 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. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
14-05-2025
- The Citizen
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. HAVE YOUR SAY: Like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram or email us at Add us on WhatsApp 071 277 1394. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
