September is recognized as Deaf Awareness Month, which aims to bring attention to the difficulties faced by the deaf community. One critical issue is the lack of sign language interpreters in courts, brought to the forefront by civil rights organization Action Society. A recent case involving a deaf rape survivor highlights the urgent necessity to address this problem.
After a long wait of almost a year, the man charged with the murder of Klawer teenager Jerobiojin van Wyk, Daniel Smit, is finally undergoing a mental evaluation at Valkenberg Psychiatric Hospital in Cape Town. The discovery of Jerobiojin’s remains in sewerage pipes at Smit’s residence led to his arrest last year, and he was subsequently charged with murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, defeating the ends of justice, and failure to report the incident to the police. Allegedly, the teenager was killed for stealing mangoes from Smit’s garden.
Four members of the notorious Laughing Boys gang from Cape Town were recently sentenced to substantial prison time in the Pollsmoor Prison Court for multiple murders committed between 2017 and 2019. The quartet included Mykyle Davids, Tyron Davids, Mikyle Abdullah, and Shamieg Matheson, along with Moenzier January, who received an eightyear sentence for keeping weapons used in the murders.
The story of Daniël Jamneck, an eightyearold boy who was allegedly raped and murdered during a sleepover at his friend’s house, is a harrowing one. It shines a light on the flaws in the justice system and the devastating consequences of broken trust.
A horrifying case in the Western Cape has raised concerns about the safety of children during sleepovers. Arthur Wheeler, a 47yearold man, was accused of sexually assaulting, raping, and murdering his son’s 8yearold friend during a sleepover. This incident begs the question of whether the state is capable of protecting children and urges parents to be more vigilant.
A viral video of Dr. Nandipha Magudumana, a celebrity aesthetics doctor, walking outside the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court without handcuffs has caused widespread debate on social media. Dr. Nandipha is currently facing multiple charges, including assisting a convicted criminal to escape from custody, tampering with a corpse, fraud, and defeating the ends of justice. She appeared in court on 20 June alongside her boyfriend, Thabo Bester, and seven others, and is scheduled to reappear on 8 August.
Minister Ronald Lamola of Justice and Correctional Services in South Africa recently announced the department’s budget for the 2023/24 fiscal year. The budget allocation of R23.2 billion is aimed at protecting the Constitution, upholding the rule of law, and making justice accessible, fair, speedy, and costeffective.
The extradition of Ruth Lawrence from South Africa to Ireland marks a significant milestone in pursuing justice for the families of Eoin O’Connor and Anthony Keegan. This article presents an overview of the case, including its background, the extradition process, and what happens next.
The Gauteng Police Department, led by Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Elias Mawela, is making significant progress in reducing crime rates. The department has initiated various operations that have resulted in the arrest of criminals and the retrieval of stolen goods.
The Western Cape Government (WCG) and City of Cape Town (CoCT) are mourning the death of LEAP officer Siphelo Magwa. The 25yearold officer was a victim of a fatal shooting in Crossroads during his offduty hours. He was with his brother and another individual in a vehicle when they were ambushed by three assailants who fired multiple rounds, leaving all three dead at the scene. Magwa had been stationed in the unit at Mitchells Plain and was a committed LEAP officer.
A motherdaughter duo has been sentenced to double life imprisonment for the brutal murders of Simangele Simamane and her daughter Sbongakonke Mthembu in October 2020. The Durban High Court has delivered the verdict along with an additional elevenyear sentence for kidnapping and defeating the ends of justice.
On May 15, 2023, Thabo Clifford Benzana (36) and Eric Mangaliso Mvuka (39) appeared in the Wolmaransstad Magistrate’s Court after being arrested in Carletonville by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation. North West Crime Intelligence and Gauteng Highway Patrol worked together to bring about this arrest. The duo is accused of participating in a cashintransit robbery that occurred on January 5, 2023, approximately 5 kilometers away from Wolmaransstad.
Gun Free South Africa (GFSA) and nine families have brought a class action lawsuit against the South African Police Service (SAPS) for the deaths and injuries caused by stolen firearms. Approximately 2,000 firearms were stolen from police stores by two rogue police officers, Colonels Christiaan Prinsloo and David Naidoo, and supplied to gang leaders on the Cape Flats from 2007 to 2015. These firearms were meant to be destroyed but have come to be known as “Prinsloo Guns.”
South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, has recently addressed a number of critical issues affecting the country. These include energy generation, corruption within stateowned power company Eskom, South Africa’s Just Energy Transition Investment Plan, and the integrity of the financial system.
The Tzaneen Magistrate’s Court has made a landmark decision in a case that highlights the tireless efforts of Limpopo’s law enforcement. Barry Senyolo, a 33yearold man, was recently sentenced to life imprisonment for a brutal crime that took place in May 2017 at Kubjana village’s local tavern. The tragic event, which shook the community, led to the death of 27yearold Karabo Sewape.
South Africa is in mourning following the death of Klaas de Jonge, an exceptional Dutch activist who fought against apartheid and was a member of uMkhonto weSizwe (MK). De Jonge died at the age of 85 on May 5, 2023. This article pays tribute to his life and legacy as a symbol of international solidarity in the fight for justice and freedom.
