The decision follows a formal review by the office of the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP), overturning the earlier withdrawal of charges and placing the high-profile case back on track.

At the centre of the case are allegations that Kodwa received kickbacks amounting to approximately R1.6 million from Mackay, a former executive at technology firm EOH, between 2015 and 2016.

Prosecutors allege that the payments — including luxury accommodation — were intended to influence the awarding of lucrative government contracts.

The matter was initially enrolled in June 2024, but took a controversial turn in November 2024 when the South Gauteng Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Andrew Chauke, withdrew the charges.

That decision sparked concern among investigators, prompting the Hawks to successfully request a review by then NDPP Advocate Shamila Batohi.

In one of her final decisions before leaving office, Batohi overturned the withdrawal and directed that the matter be reinstated.

According to the NPA, Kodwa and Mackay’s legal representatives were formally notified of this decision in a letter dated 29 January 2026.

NPA spokesperson Abram Mohlatlole said the authority was compelled to respond to claims suggesting that information about the reinstatement had been leaked before the accused were informed.

“The NPA would like to set the record straight,” the statement read.

The authority confirmed that letters were sent to the legal representatives of both Kodwa and Mackay, informing them that the decision to withdraw charges had been set aside and that prosecution would proceed.

The NPA further rejected any claims of a leak, stating that such allegations are “devoid of any truth”.

National Director of Public Prosecutions Advocate Andy Mothibi also assured the public that no leaks would be tolerated.

The Special Commercial Crime Unit is currently finalising logistical arrangements to re-enrol the matter in court.

The development reignites a long-standing legal battle that continues to cast a shadow over Kodwa’s political career.

KEY POINTS

1 NPA reinstates corruption charges against Zizi Kodwa and Jehan Mackay

2 Allegations involve R1.6 million in kickbacks linked to EOH contracts

3 Charges were previously withdrawn in November 2024

4 Hawks pushed for review, Batohi overturned decision

5 Lawyers informed on 29 January 2026

6 NDPP denies any leak

7 Case to be re-enrolled

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The UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan criticized the charges as “reckless,” warning they could undermine fragile peace efforts.

Machar has been under house arrest since March after President Salva Kiir accused him of plotting against the government. On Thursday, Kiir announced that Machar was suspended from his role as deputy due to the allegations.

Tensions have been rising as government troops clash with militias allegedly loyal to Machar. These groups emerged after a peace agreement was signed in 2018, a deal that has struggled to hold with elections repeatedly delayed.

Authorities accuse Machar and seven others of treason, murder, conspiracy, terrorism, destruction of public property, and crimes against humanity. The charges are linked to a violent attack in March when the White Army militia overran a government garrison in Upper Nile state, killing the commanding officer and others. Officials claim the assault was coordinated with Machar’s backing.

Observers warn that pursuing these charges could further destabilize South Sudan. Regional leaders have been pushing for dialogue to avoid a return to all-out conflict.

It remains unclear when Machar might face trial. His exact location is uncertain, and his supporters continue to demand his release.

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Three people accused of robbing President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm are appearing at the Modimolle Regional Court in Limpopo, with the long-delayed trial finally set to begin.

The accused are Immanuela David and siblings Floriana and Ndilinasho Joseph. They allegedly discovered hidden cash during the 2020 break-in at the president’s property.

The trio faces charges of housebreaking, theft, and conspiracy to commit housebreaking with intent to steal.

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The allegations date back to between September 2010 and July 2013, when Papenfus, then an admitted attorney and conveyancer, allegedly received funds from clients who were purchasing properties. These payments, made into her trust account, were meant for property sellers — but were reportedly never transferred. The clients also did not receive their money back.

After failing to reach her, the clients lodged complaints with the Fidelity Fund, which later refunded them. Papenfus was subsequently struck off the roll of attorneys. She was arrested in Hermanus in the Western Cape and is due back in court on September 16.

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The ordeal came to light after concerned neighbours alerted police, suspecting the man was mistreating his children. Officers found the little girl and a young boy in a shack behind a house. The girl had visible head wounds, bruises, and a swollen eye.

She was rushed to hospital, but her injuries proved fatal.

The father, who initially faced charges of attempted murder, is now charged with murder and rape after the case took a grim turn.

The child’s mother has also been arrested for failing to protect her daughter and for allegedly trying to obstruct justice. Investigators believe she knew about the abuse but did nothing to stop it.

What began as a rescue call for children in danger has now become a case of unimaginable loss — and a stark reminder of the vulnerability of children when those meant to protect them fail.

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Yakub Ahmed Suleman Bhikhu was convicted on 81 charges including fraud, forgery, money laundering, and violating tax laws. He admitted guilt and received a 10-year prison sentence, with five years suspended. In addition to jail time, he was ordered to repay R300,000 to Transnet, and his company was fined R500,000 — a penalty also suspended on condition of good behaviour.

While the Federation of Unions of South Africa (Fedusa) acknowledged the conviction, it criticized the lenient nature of the sentence, especially given the scale of the fraud and its impact on the public. The union stressed that the punishment does not match the harm caused to workers, the economy, and state-owned entities.

Fedusa said the case highlighted the extent of corruption networks involving both public officials and private companies. Bhikhu’s company, Homix (Pty) Ltd, had been linked to widespread misuse of public funds at Transnet, a central figure in South Africa’s State Capture saga.

According to the union, thousands of workers have paid the price for such corruption through job losses, broken infrastructure, poor services, and stagnant wages. It warned that light sentences only encourage further looting, as they fail to send a clear message of accountability.

Fedusa also raised concerns about public trust in institutions like the National Prosecuting Authority and the judiciary. It argued that the justice system must demonstrate its commitment to protecting public interests and holding those in power accountable.

Despite their disappointment with the sentence, Fedusa reiterated its support for the actions taken by its affiliate, the United National Transport Union (Untu), and called for stronger responses in future cases of corporate crime.

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The incident happened in the early hours of Thursday, 10 July, in Lyden village, Bakenburg, near Mokopane. According to reports, the woman was asleep when the sergeant, believed to be her boyfriend, arrived at her home around 2:45 AM and became angry when she did not respond to his knocking. In a violent outburst, he reportedly set fire to the curtains, and the flames quickly spread throughout the two-room shack.

Thanks to the swift actions of nearby residents, the woman was pulled from the burning structure and survived the ordeal, though she sustained injuries. Emergency services and police were alerted shortly after.

The officer, who is stationed at the Olivenhoutbosch police station in Gauteng, was tracked down and arrested the following day. The case has been handed over to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) for further investigation.

He is scheduled to appear in the Mahwelereng Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 14 July, where he will face charges of attempted murder and arson.

Limpopo’s Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, praised the police team for acting quickly to bring the suspect to justice. The incident has further fueled calls for stricter action against law enforcement officers involved in gender-based violence.

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The case dates back to August 2024, when a woman reported to police that she had been defrauded by a man she met online. Their relationship began on Facebook and moved to WhatsApp, where the man claimed his son was critically ill. Over time, he convinced the woman to “lend” him various sums of money. These amounts eventually totaled more than R3.4 million.

The scammer, posing as a white man named Mark Hermanus, allegedly redistributed the funds to his accomplices with promises of repayment that never materialized. The woman’s identity is being withheld to protect her from further distress.

Earlier, three men had already been arrested for their roles in the scam. A 40-year-old foreign national was taken into custody in October 2024 and later released on bail. Another man was arrested in Johannesburg in March and also released on bail. The third suspect was detained in late June.

Investigators say the scheme involved several individuals working together to defraud the woman, and more arrests are expected as the probe continues.

This case is part of a growing trend of romance scams in South Africa, where unsuspecting individuals are lured into fake relationships and financially exploited. Victims include both men and women, many of whom have lost life savings, pensions, and borrowed funds.

Authorities are urging the public to be cautious when forming relationships online and to report any suspicious activity to the police immediately.

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The group faces charges of theft and corruption. The accused are Captain Letlhogonolo Andrew Molatlhegi (59), Warrant Officer Mabutho Masina (46), Constable Mpho Irvyn Netshivhera (30), Constable Nhlamulo Matsilela (30), Simon Mapusi Rakuba (47) and Lebogang Tseto (41).

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A charge of premeditated murder was added against the mother Kuneuwe Portia Shalaba (32), who was previously facing charges of human trafficking, conspiracy to commit robbery and making a false statement to the police.

It is alleged that on 10 November 2024, the mother of the child took the child to the sangoma and requested him to kill her child because she was not happy with the gender of the baby and was tired of hiding it from her family that in fact, the child was a girl. The mother then allegedly fed the baby poison and after the baby died it is alleged that the two took the child and buried her body in a shallow grave in Waterpan

After investigations by the police, the sangoma was arrested on 29 May 2025 and he subsequently made a confession and pointed out to the police about where the body of the child was buried.

In court, the matter was postponed to 05 June 2025, for legal representation for the sangoma. The state intends to oppose his release on bail.

The court previously denied the mother’s release on bail.

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