According to Mpumalanga National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Monica Nyuswa, the two men were convicted on two counts, namely possession of a firearm and conspiracy to commit an offence.

“On 21 January 2021, members of the Tracking Unit in Calcutta received intelligence regarding three suspected poachers travelling towards the Kruger National Park near Utha Village.

“Acting swiftly on this information, police intercepted the vehicle and found three occupants in possession of a hunting rifle. All three suspects were arrested and later released on bail. However, they subsequently absconded, prompting the issuance of warrants of arrest. This led to the re arrest of Sibuyi and Mashele. The third accused, Sibusiso Mahlaula, remains at large,” she said.

During the trial, the accused pleaded not guilty and denied the allegations against them.

State prosecutor Lot Mgiba led evidence, including testimony from the arresting officer as well as a ballistic report linking the firearm to the offence.

Nyuswa said the court rejected the accused’s version and found them guilty as charged.

“In sentencing, the court imposed four years’ imprisonment for conspiracy to commit an offence and eight years’ imprisonment for possession of a firearm. The court ordered the sentences to run concurrently, resulting in an effective sentence of eight years’ direct imprisonment each,” she said.

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Maseko and Ngubeni were in a domestic relationship and resided together.

According National Prosecuting Authority(NPA) Monica Nyuswa said the incident occurred on 20 August 2024, when the couple was in their bedroom, and an argument broke out, which escalated into a physical altercation.

“During the altercation, the accused poured petrol on the deceased and set her alight. The deceased pleaded with the accused to stop burning her. Despite sustaining severe burn injuries, she managed to run from the room into the passage of the house and called out to a friend who was sleeping in another room for assistance. The friend managed to extinguish the fire by pouring water on her.

“The deceased was subsequently taken to the hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries a week later. The incident was reported to the police, and the accused was arrested. During the trial, Maseko pleaded not guilty and claimed that he was not present when the deceased caught fire. However, State Advocate Sello Malesa presented compelling evidence, including testimony from multiple witnesses and a statement made by the deceased,” she said.

Nyuswa said the deceased’s friend also testified about what she observed during the incident.

“The court found the State’s witnesses credible and rejected the accused’s version of events. In aggravation of sentence, Advocate Malesa argued that domestic-related offences have become a serious problem in the country, which has resulted in Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) being declared a national crisis.

“He further highlighted the accused’s lack of remorse and urged the court not to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence.

A Victim Impact Statement, compiled by the deceased’s mother and facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Nomfundo Mokoena, detailed the severe and ongoing psychological and emotional trauma endured by the family,” she said.

Nyuswa said that in delivering the sentence, the presiding judge remarked that it is the duty of the courts to send a strong message to would-be offenders that such offences cannot be tolerated.

“The court found no substantial and compelling circumstances warranting a deviation from the prescribed minimum sentence and accordingly imposed life imprisonment. Maseko was further declared unfit to possess a firearm, and his application for leave to appeal was dismissed,” she said.

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Katlego Mokoena (19) is charged alongside with his co-accused, Lungelo Sithole (19), in connection with the murder of Mathabela, who was allegedly stabbed multiple times at her home in Mataffin, outside Mbombela, in November 2025.

Mpumalanga National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Spokesperson Monica Nyuswa said Sithole and Mokoena applied for bail on separate occasions.

Sithole’s bail application was dismissed by the same court last month.

“It is alleged that on the day of the incident, the accused hired an Uber driver to transport them to the victim’s residence, where they allegedly gained entry by jumping over the wall. The accused were allegedly found at the crime scene, and the victim’s lifeless body was discovered in a pool of blood in the bathroom,” she said.

Nyuswa said in handing down the judgment, the court considered the serious nature of the charge and the significant public interest generated within the community where the crime was committed.

“The court found that releasing the accused on bail pending trial would likely disturb public order and undermine peace and security. It further concluded that granting bail would undermine confidence in the criminal justice system and the proper administration of justice,” she said.

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At the time of the offence, the man was employed as a general worker at the creche the victim attended.

To protect the victim from secondary victimisation, the accused’s name has been withheld.

Mpumalanga National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Monica Nyuswa said the incident took place on 01 September 2023 at KwaMhlushwa, inside the creche premises after school hours.

“The victim and her friends were playing outside the creche, as they lived nearby. The accused called the victim into the creche’s kitchen, closed the door, and raped her.

The victim’s sister, who was also playing outside, looked through the window and witnessed the assault. Later that day, the victim told her mother she was experiencing pain in her private area. When the mother investigated, the sister disclosed what she had seen. The matter was immediately reported to the police, leading to the accused’s arrest,” she said.

Nyuswa said in court, the accused pleaded not guilty and claimed he was not present at the school during the incident.

However, Regional Prosecutor Thembile Ngonyama presented compelling evidence, including testimony from multiple witnesses, the first report by the victim, the Jail medical report, and the eyewitness account from the victim’s sister.

“The court found the State’s witnesses credible and rejected the accused’s version of events. In aggravation of sentence, Ngonyama highlighted the prevalence of such offences and urged the court not to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence. A Victim Impact Statement, compiled by the victim’s mother and facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Lizzy Mhlongo, detailed the severe ongoing psychological and physical trauma endured by the child and her family.

“The court determined there were no substantial and compelling circumstances to justify deviation from the prescribed minimum sentence. The accused was sentenced to 25 years’ direct imprisonment for rape. Additional orders include his name being entered on the National Register for Sex Offenders, a declaration that he is unsuitable to work with children, and a finding that he is unfit to possess a firearm,” she said.

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