Johannesburg High Court Archives - MDNtv

High Court Rejects Zuma and Mbeki Attempt to Oust Sisi Khampepe as TRC Inquiry Chair

Sam Thangwane — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 08:44:55 +0000

Johannesburg High Court has dismissed the application by former presidents Jacob Zuma and Thabo Mbeki seeking the removal of retired Justice Sisi Khampepe as chairperson of the commission of inquiry into political interference in Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) cases.

Khampepe had earlier rejected their recusal bids in January 2026, citing a lack of evidence of bias and unreasonable delays in bringing the applications.

President Cyril Ramaphosa, who initially appointed her, had expressed concerns about her impartiality due to her past roles and supported her stepping aside, but the court’s decision upholds her position and paves the way for the long-delayed TRC inquiry to resume, bringing some relief to victims’ families awaiting accountability for apartheid-era crimes.

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Thabo Bester Represents Himself in Johannesburg High Court, Claims Rights Violation Over Escape Charge

Sam Thangwane — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 16:42:53 +0000

Convicted murderer and rapist Thabo Bester appeared in the Johannesburg High Court on Tuesday, representing himself in a bid to challenge the conditions of his detention.

Dressed in a designer Louis Vuitton shirt and shackled in leg irons, the convicted “Facebook R**pist” argued that his constitutional rights had been violated.

Bester, serving a life sentence for the 2012 rape and murder of his girlfriend Nomfundo Tyhulu, is challenging aspects of his detention related to his dramatic 2022 escape from Mangaung Correctional Centre in Bloemfontein.

He argues that the Department of Correctional Services has already labeled and treated him as guilty of escaping custody before his trial on those charges has even begun thereby violating his constitutional rights, including the presumption of innocence.

In court, Bester boldly claimed he did not escape but was “officially released” from the maximum-security prison. He told the judge that any finding of guilt must be proven in a criminal trial, not assumed by prison authorities through his classification as an escapee or his placement in harsh conditions, including solitary confinement and transfer to a supermax facility in Kokstad, KwaZulu-Natal.

The urgent application seeks his reclassification as a remand detainee rather than a sentenced prisoner on the escape matter.

Bester, who represented himself for part or all of the proceedings, submitted that his current treatment infringes on his rights and questioned the validity of ongoing charges linked to the breakout, in which he allegedly faked his death in a cell fire, with a body placed in his cell to cover the escape.

The state maintains that Bester remains lawfully incarcerated as a sentenced offender, with the escape charges still pending alongside those against co-accused, including his former partner, Dr. Nandipha Magudumana.

After hearing arguments, the court reserved judgment on Bester’s application, which will be delivered via CaseLines and emailed to the parties.

Bester’s latest court appearance has once again drawn attention for his flamboyant style. Social media buzzed with comments about the expensive Louis Vuitton shirt he revealed by removing his suit jacket during proceedings. The convicted “Facebook R**pist” has a history of appearing in designer wear, even while behind bars.

The full escape trial, involving multiple accused on charges including fraud, arson, corruption, and murder, has faced repeated delays and is provisionally set for later in 2026 in the Free State High Court.

This case continues to captivate South Africa, highlighting issues of prison security, high-profile escapes, and the rights of notorious offenders within the justice system. Judgment on Bester’s latest bid is awaited.

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THABO BESTER RETURNS TO COURT IN NEW URGENT BID OVER PRISON ESCAPE CASE

MDNtv — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 09:39:02 +0000

This is a news update from MDNtv, when things happen fast, you are always in the know.

Convicted rapist and murderer Thabo Bester has returned to the High Court in Johannesburg on Tuesday 24 March 2026 in connection with his 2022 prison escape case.

Bester has filed an urgent application challenging aspects of the charges linked to his escape from Mangaung Correctional Centre. The matter forms part of a wider case involving Bester and his co accused including Dr Nandipha Magudumana.

The pair face multiple charges including fraud, aiding escape and murder following one of South Africa’s most shocking prison break scandals.

This latest court appearance comes after a series of legal setbacks for Bester, including failed attempts to secure a prison transfer and challenges relating to his fair trial rights.

Today’s proceedings are expected to focus on legal and procedural issues raised in his urgent application as the case continues to unfold.

Stay tuned to MDNtv for full coverage and updates.

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THABO BESTER RETURNS TO COURT IN NEW URGENT BID OVER PRISON ESCAPE CASE

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🔥 JOHANNESBURG HIGH COURT REVIEWS VUSIMUZI MATLALA CASE | PRE-TRIAL HEARINGS UPDATE ⚖️

MDNtv — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 10:47:16 +0000

Stay updated with the latest developments from the Johannesburg High Court as it reviews readiness for the high-profile case involving businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and his co-accused.

In this video, you’ll learn about the ongoing pre-trial proceedings, the serious charges faced by Matlala and his wife Tsakane Matlala, and the legal concerns raised by the defense team.

The case includes 25 charges, with 11 counts of attempted murder, connected to multiple alleged shootings between 2022 and 2024. One of the most talked-about incidents is the October 2023 shooting, where actress and socialite Tebogo Thobejane was injured.

The court is now examining whether both the prosecution and defense are fully prepared to move forward, after claims of delays in providing key documents.

Watch till the end to understand what this means for the case and what could happen next.

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JOHANNESBURG HIGH COURT REVIEWS VUSIMUZI MATLALA CASE | PRE-TRIAL HEARINGS UPDATE

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Date For The Trial For Alleged Big Five Cartel Boss Katiso “KT” Molefe and Three Co-Accused Has Been Set For October

Philani Mzila — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 18:56:40 +0000

The Johannesburg High Court in Gauteng has set a trial date for alleged crime kingpin Katiso “KT” Molefe and his three co-accused following a pre-trial hearing on Thursday.

The proceedings will run from October 26 to December 4, 2026.

Molefe, 61 who is alleged to be the big top five draug cartels operating in Gauteng faces 35 charges that include three counts of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, and other organised crime offences.

He is arrested alongside Michael Pule Tau, Tiego Floyd Mabisela and Musa Kekana.

The charges are linked to the 2022 killings of Oupa “DJ Sumbody” Sefoka, Hector “Dj Vintos” Buthelezi, and Ekurhuleni Metro Engineer Armand Swart.

Molefe is currently out on R400,000 bail which was granted after an appeal in October 2025, while his co-accused remain in custody.

The matter was transferred from Alexandra Magistrates’ Court to the High Court due to its seriousness and was previously postponed multiple times for preparations.

Molefe is alleged to have committed these crimes while he was on bail on another unrelated murder.

His name has been mentioned on several occasions at the Madlanga Commission and Ad Hoc Committee.

He is said to have political connections as he was mentioned to be close with Patriotic Alliance Deputy President Kenny Kunene.

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🚨 VUSIMUZI CAT MATLALA SHARES INTIMATE MOMENT AT JOHANNESBURG HIGH COURT ❤️

MDNtv — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 11:34:40 +0000

A fleeting and intimate moment was shared between Vusimuzi Cat Matlala and his wife Tsakane Matlala at the Johannesburg High Court

The emotional exchange took place during court proceedings, drawing attention from those present. Despite the seriousness of the legal environment, the couple briefly connected in a quiet but powerful moment that quickly became a talking point.

In this video, we cover:
• What happened inside the Johannesburg High Court
• Public reaction to the moment
• Background context surrounding the court appearance
• Why this moment is making headlines

Courtroom scenes often reflect more than legal arguments. Sometimes, they reveal the human side of difficult situations.

What are your thoughts on this moment? Share your perspective in the comments below.

Stay updated with the latest South African breaking news, court updates, and trending stories.

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VUSIMUZI CAT MATLALA SHARES INTIMATE MOMENT AT JOHANNESBURG HIGH COURT

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CAT MATLALA IN COURT | PRE-TRIAL PROCEEDINGS BEGIN IN HIGH-STAKES MURDER CASE

MDNtv — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 17:42:03 +0000

Pre-trial proceedings are underway at the Johannesburg High Court for controversial businessman Vusimuzi Cat Matlala and his four co-accused.

Matlala faces a series of serious charges, including attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, fraud, and attempting to defeat the ends of justice. The pre-trial hearing is expected to address key procedural matters as the case moves closer to trial.

The matter has drawn significant public and media attention due to the nature of the allegations and the profile of the accused. Today’s proceedings form part of the court’s process to determine readiness for trial, outstanding applications, and timelines going forward.

The High Court hearing marks a critical moment in a case that could have far-reaching legal consequences.

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CAT MATLALA IN COURT | PRE-TRIAL PROCEEDINGS BEGIN IN HIGH-STAKES MURDER CASE

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BREAKING NEWS | CAT MATLALA PRE TRIAL HALTED | COURT TO RULE ON GAUTENG TRANSFER

MDNtv — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 16:56:02 +0000

The Johannesburg High Court has postponed the pre trial hearing of alleged crime boss Vusimuzi Cat Matlala and his four co accused to 6 February 2026, granting additional time for legal consultations and arguments around his detention location.

Matlala, who faces multiple attempted murder and related charges together with his wife Tsakane Matlala, is currently being held at eBongweni Super Maximum Correctional Centre.

His legal team has argued that his detention outside Gauteng severely limits access to their client and undermines trial preparation. The defence is formally seeking his transfer closer to the Johannesburg High Court, where proceedings are being heard.

The court has indicated it will consider the transfer request while the matter remains postponed.

This case continues to draw national attention due to the seriousness of the charges and the legal questions around detainee access and fair trial preparation.

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BREAKING NEWS | CAT MATLALA PRE TRIAL HALTED | COURT TO RULE ON GAUTENG TRANSFER

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TWO APARTHEID-ERA POLICE OFFICERS CONVICTED OF THE MURDER OF CAIPHUS NYOKA REMANDED IN CUSTODY

Hlakaniphile Magadlela — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 05:20:48 +0000

Two former apartheid-era police officers, ex-Sergeant Abraham Hercules Engelbrecht (64), and ex-Sergeant Pieter Stander (62), who were convicted of the premeditated murder of Congress of South African Students (COSAS) member Caiphus Nyoka on 02 December 2025, have been remanded in custody pending judgment in their bail application. On the evening of 23 August 1987, Engelbrecht and Stander, both members of the Reaction Unit within the then South African Police, met to plan the killing of Nyoka.

https://mdntvlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/VID-20251212-WA0003.mp4

They devised a plan to raid his home. In the early hours of 24 August 1987, at approximately 02h30, Stander, Engelbrecht, and other Reaction Unit members (who are charged separately) arrived at Nyoka’s homestead and stormed his room. They found him sleeping with three friends. After identifying Nyoka, they removed his friends from the room and proceeded to shoot him nine times. He died on the scene from multiple gunshot wounds.

Following their conviction, the two applied for bail pending sentencing. In affidavits before the court, they claimed to suffer from various health conditions and stated that they are financial providers for their families. The State opposed their release, arguing that both men were convicted of a serious offence, they pose a flight risk, particularly Stander, who has previously worked outside South Africa and failed to fully disclose potential assets abroad, despite having worked in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2015.

The Judge in the Johannesburg High Court reserved judgment on their bail application and postponed the matter to 20–24 July 2026 for sentencing proceedings, which will be heard in the Pretoria High Court sitting in Benoni.

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Church Defenders Take CRL to Court as Battle Over Religious Freedom Reaches Breaking Point

Hlakaniphile Magadlela — Thu, 20 Nov 2025 05:38:34 +0000

South Africa is heading into a major legal showdown over church regulation, after the South African Church Defenders (SACD) launched a sweeping court challenge against the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities (CRL Rights Commission) and its leadership.

The case, filed on 17 November 2025 in the Johannesburg High Court, comes after months of tension between Christian groups and the CRL, following the Commission’s decision to form what it called a “Section 22 Committee.”

According to the SACD, this committee was created illegally and is part of a broader attempt to place churches, doctrines, and religious leadership under state control — something Parliament had previously rejected.

Tensions Reach Breaking Point

The dispute escalated on 2 October 2025, when SACD says the CRL reignited an old regulatory agenda without legal authority or public consultation.

The move sparked outrage among Christian organisations, who accused the CRL of ignoring constitutional limits and acting in defiance of Parliament’s earlier decisions.

Thousands of believers marched from Pretoria to Cape Town on 8 October and again on 13 November, presenting a memorandum to both the President and Parliament.

But SACD says the CRL refused to back down, dismissing calls for restraint and showing “disturbing indifference” to the rights of the Christian community.

A ‘Moment of Truth’ for Religious Freedom

SACD argues that South Africa has now reached a critical turning point.

The organisation wants the High Court to:

Declare the Section 22 Committee unlawful

Strike down the CRL’s attempts to regulate church doctrine, leadership and training

Reject the CRL’s classification of charismatic churches as a “national security threat”

SACD describes the case as a direct challenge to a Chapter 9 institution it believes has gone far beyond its mandate and interfered in the “sacred terrain” of worship and church autonomy.

The Fight Moves to the High Court

The application was officially served on 18 November 2025 on the CRL’s chairperson, Ms Thoko Mkhwanazi-Xaluva, Mr Musa Xulu and the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.

With the matter now heading to the High Court, the future of religious freedom in South Africa is set to be contested with “unprecedented intensity.”

SACD Vows to Continue the Battle

In a firm statement, SACD said it would pursue the case relentlessly to defend the Church and protect constitutional rights:

“We will not allow any institution to erode the freedoms guaranteed to every believer in this nation.”

The organisation promised to provide further updates as the court proceedings unfold.

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