Four Zimbabwean nationals based in South Africa have been sentenced to life imprisonment by the Pretoria High Court after being convicted for their involvement in the brutal killing of a South African National Defence Forces (SANDF) member, Joel Sekano, in 2022.
Cuthbert Ndlovu Malatjila (22) from Winterveldt, Talent Moyo (31) from Oukasie, James Muzora (26), and Luckson Simbarashe Ruchapu (28) from Mabopane were found guilty of premeditated murder, robbery, and attempted murder.
In addition to life sentences for the murder of Sekano and an innocent bystander, Edward Karabo Dire, the four men received 15 years’ imprisonment for four counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances and five years each for three counts of attempted murder.
The court also imposed further penalties: Malatjila, Muzora, and Moyo were sentenced to a collective 25 years for two counts of possession of unlicensed firearms, and each defendant received 12 months for two counts of possessing ammunition.
Malatjila, Ruchapu, and Muzora were sentenced to 12 months for being in South Africa illegally.
Gauteng regional spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Lumka Mahanjana, confirmed that these sentences will run concurrently with the life imprisonment terms.
The tragic incident occurred on June 16, 2022, when Sekano and his friend were standing outside his residence in Masakeng Section, Oukasie, when the four men approached them.
They robbed the victims of their cellphones and wallets, and during the robbery, Sekano’s friend was struck on the head with a firearm, knocking him unconscious. The robbers then fatally shot Sekano and stole his firearm before fleeing the scene. Said Mahanjana:
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In court, they pleaded not guilty to the charges. However, the State led compelling evidence. And the four were convicted and later sentenced.
The NPA welcomed the sentence and reaffirms its commitment for justice in the protection of South African citizens.
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Pindula News

Four Zimbabwean men in South Africa were sentenced to life in jail for killing a soldier, Joel Sekano. They were also convicted of robbery and attempted murder. They received additional years for possession of firearms and being in the country illegally. The incident happened in 2022 when the men robbed Sekano and his friend, leading to Sekano's tragic death. The court handed them the harsh sentences after they were found guilty. The National Prosecuting Authority confirmed that the sentences will run at the same time as the life imprisonment.

Four Zimbabwean Nationals Sentenced To Life For Killing South African Soldier

Nine Zimbabwean nationals residing in Botswana have been formally charged with murder and illegal entry after allegedly killing a fellow Zimbabwean man.
As reported by <a href="https://www.mmegi.bw/news/nine-zimbabweans-charged-with-murder/news">Mmegi</a>, the incident involved the brutal assault of Tavonanashe Mariga, who was reportedly attacked by the accused, who stomped on his testicles.
The nine men, aged between 23 and 38, include Crispen Gasura (33), Desmond Dube (23), Takesure Fraser (38), Abbisai Gasura (29), Justice Mafukidze (25), Clayton Chiwa (35), Spencer Gasura (35), Calvin Mafukidze (27), and Alouis Gasura (23).
All are facing charges in connection with this violent crime.
The shocking events took place at Matebele Farms on January 5, 2025, after the accused persons accused Mariga of stealing P1,500. They assaulted him severely and filmed the entire ordeal.
Bound and helpless, Mariga was beaten with sticks and stomped on until he lost consciousness. Tragically, he was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.
Prosecutor Mmoloki Selofera urged the court to keep the accused in custody, citing the extreme brutality inflicted on the deceased before his death.
The accused were recently brought before the Broadhurst Magistrates’ Court to face these serious charges. Said Selofera:
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The accused persons shouldn’t be granted bail as this is a relatively new matter. And we are still waiting for the post-mortem results, forensic affidavit, and the photo album.
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Meanwhile, the accused, who are farm workers at Matebele Farms, pleaded not guilty to the charges before Magistrate Goratile Moremi-Ramakoloi.
They have been remanded in custody until their next court appearance on February 13, 2025.

Nine Zimbabweans living in Botswana are arrested for killing another Zimbabwean man. They are accused of brutally attacking him, accusing him of theft. The victim was beaten and stomped on until he died. The accused men, aged 23 to 38, are facing charges for this violent crime. They filmed the assault, which took place at a farm on January 5, 2025. The court prosecutor wants them to stay in custody due to the extreme violence they inflicted. The accused pleaded not guilty and will remain in custody until their next court date.

Nine Zimbabweans Arrested In Botswana Over The Brutal Murder Of Fellow Countryman

Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to South Africa, David Hamadziripi, said a team has been sent to work with the South African government to verify whether any Zimbabwean nationals were among those rescued or who perished at the abandoned Buffelsfontein Mine in Stilfontein, North West Province.
South African authorities reported that 87 illegal miners from various nationalities lost their lives in the North West mine disaster.
Despite South African police blocking water and food from reaching the mine as part of an operation called “Vala Umgodi,” many of the “zama zamas” continued to resist emerging from the mine shafts in Stilfontein, fearing arrest.
In a statement, Hamadziripi said that the Zimbabwean Embassy is working to determine if any Zimbabwean nationals are among the deceased. He said:
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The Embassy wishes to inform members of the public that it is working closely with the South African government to identify and verify the nationalities of the alleged Zimbabwe nationals retrieved from the Buffelsfontein Mine in Stilfontein, North West Province under the ongoing rescue operations.
Further to screening the 465 alleged undocumented Zimbabwe nationals currently in South African Police Service (SAPS) custody, the Embassy is seeking to establish whether there are any Zimbabwe nationals among 87 deceased individuals retrieved at the shaft, whose identities and nationalities are yet to be established.
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Hamadziripi said the embassy is working to identify the deceased individuals through Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) testing of their relatives.
He urged Zimbabweans who believe their relatives might be among those rescued from the mine disaster in Stilfontein to urgently contact the Consulate in Johannesburg.
Those with information can reach the Consulate through the Hotline/Emergency Line at +27610373400 or visit the Consulate in person at 20 Ernest Oppenheimer Avenue, Bruma, Johannesburg.
Hamadziripi also assured that the Government of Zimbabwe is making arrangements to assist with the repatriation of remains once they are positively identified as Zimbabwean nationals.
On Friday night, the Zimbabwean Consul-General in Johannesburg, Eria Phiri, reported that 10 Zimbabweans who had been rescued appeared in court and were fined R15,000 (or given a six-month jail sentence, wholly suspended) for illegal mining. These people were deported earlier in the week.

The Zimbabwean Embassy in South Africa is trying to find out if any Zimbabwean people were hurt or killed in a mine accident. 87 illegal miners died in the mine. Some miners are afraid to come out of the mine because they might be arrested. The embassy is doing DNA testing to identify the bodies of the miners. They are asking families to come forward if they think their relatives were involved. The Zimbabwean government will help bring the bodies back home if they are Zimbabwean. Ten Zimbabweans who were rescued have been fined for illegal mining.

Zimbabwean Embassy Begins Verification Of Illegal Miners Who Perished In South African Mine

South African authorities have enlisted the help of Zimbabwean diplomats in the neighbouring country to identify and repatriate the remains of several illegal miners recovered from an abandoned mine in Stilfontein.
As reported by <a href="https://www.ewn.co.za/2025/01/16/zimbabwean-officials-roped-in-to-id-repatriate-remains-of-illegal-stilfontein-miners">EWN</a>, among the more than 80 zama zamas who died at the Buffelsfontein gold mine during a police crackdown on illegal mining, many were undocumented Zimbabwean nationals.
Nearly 2,000 illegal miners, primarily Mozambican nationals, followed by Zimbabweans and BaSothos, were operating at the disused mine.
Acting police commissioner for the province, Patrick Asaneng, confirmed that diplomatic talks between Zimbabwe and South Africa were ongoing. He said:
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They will assist us with the verification and confirmation of their addresses and with engaging with those who are still alive.
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Consular General of Zimbabwe Eria Phiri (pictured above) visited Stilfontein on Thursday. He said:
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So far, we have started with the verification and identification of the 465 who have been brought to the surface alive.
Using the 465, we will try to extract as much information as possible so that we have an indication of who was operating underground.
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On Wednesday, South African police announced the end of the rescue operation at the abandoned gold mine in Stilfontein, believing they had brought out all the survivors and retrieved all the bodies.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

South African officials asked Zimbabwean diplomats to help find and bring home the bodies of illegal miners in Stilfontein. Many of the miners who died were from Zimbabwe and Mozambique. The police are working with Zimbabwe to identify the miners and contact their families. Nearly 2,000 illegal miners were found at the abandoned mine. The rescue operation is finished, and all the survivors and bodies have been found. Zimbabwean officials are working to identify the miners who were found alive and give information about those who died.

Zimbabwean Diplomats Roped In To Identify, Repatriate Remains Of Illegal Stilfontein Miners

South African opposition politician Gayton Mackenzie has urged the Department of Home Affairs to deal with Zimbabweans resident in that country who will protest against the results of Zimbabwe’s Harmonised Elections.
Mackenzie, who is the leader of the Patriot Alliance (PA), said the Department of Home Affairs should deport all Zimbabwean nationals in South Africa who have vowed to march to their embassy to protest against election results from the 23 August Harmonised Elections. He said:
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Home Affairs should stand ready at the Zimbabwean Embassy to deport the whole lot.
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Reports indicate that scores of unhappy Zimbabweans in SA were planning to march to their embassy in Pretoria in protest of the election results.
The general feeling is that the elections were rigged, unfair, and unequally conducted.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa was declared the winner of the presidential race and his ZANU PF party won the majority of seats in the National Assembly.
Mackenzie said Zimbabwean nationals who chose to protest in South Africa against Mnangagwa and ZANU PF are “cowards”. He said:
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Witchcraft of the highest order, cowards.
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Mnangagwa won the election by 52.6% of the votes, slightly beating CCC leader Nelson Chamisa, who received 44% of the votes.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

SA Opposition Leader, Gayton Mackenzie, Labels Zimbabwean Nationals "Cowards"

A South African human rights activist and lawyer, Jos Venter, said it is illegal to deny children of undocumented foreign nationals entry at any school in that country.
Venter said this in response to Patriotic Alliance leader Gayton McKenzie who had called for the children of foreign nationals to be refused entry to South African schools.
Venter said McKenzie’s call was unlawful because education was a basic human right. He said:
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It is absolutely illegal and Gayton McKenzie is wrong in his view, wrong in the law and at a practical level, the implementation of the law is problematic.
But we have the 2019 judgment from the Eastern Cape division of the high court, where the court expressly said that, based on a lack of documents, children can’t be refused admission to public schools.
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Last week, the South African pressure group <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Operation_Dudula">Operation Dudula</a>, said its members will camp outside schools across Gauteng Province to prevent undocumented foreign children and teachers to be part of day one of school.

Refusing Undocumented Children Access To School 'Wrong And Illegal', Says South African Lawyer

A 22-seater bus travelling from Zimbabwe to Cape Town, South Africa, was intercepted on N1 in South Africa while carrying 36 undocumented Zimbabwean passengers.
Transport spokesperson Tidimalo Chuene said the bus was stopped at around 8 AM last Friday morning along the N1 on the Mashishing and Silicone bypass. Said Chuene in a statement:
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It was later discovered that the overloaded vehicle did not have an operating permit to travel in South Africa and the SAPS and Department of Home Affairs will conduct investigations and verification of the legal travelling documents.
… We call on all foreign drivers to respect the laws of the country and apply for proper documents when entering the country.
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South Africa is currently on a blitz against undocumented immigrants and in the coming months, the neighbouring country is expected to deport thousands of Zimbabweans whose permits were not renewed.

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