MBOMBELA – Three high-profile cases will return to the Nelspruit Magistrate’s and regional courts this week. The cases of convicted rapist and alleged killer Frans Mokoena and the so-called ninja case have been placed on the court’s roll as well as the case of former private school principal, Mr Neil Malherbe, who pleaded not guilty to possessing child pornography.
• Frans Mokoena was arrested on December 13 last year and charged with the rape and murder of beloved veterinarian Dr Rensia de Wet. He appeared in the White River Magistrate’s Court a month later where he was charged with the rape and robbery of a woman from Mataffin. It transpired that Mokoena was out on parole when these alleged crimes had been committed. His parole was cancelled and he was sent to jail for about three remaining years of a rape sentence ordered against him in 2011. Mokoena’s case is scheduled for Wednesday.
• Mr Neil Malherbe, the former principal of Penryn Preparatory School, pleaded not guilty to the charge of possession of child pornography against him. His plea in July is scheduled to be followed by his appearance in the Nelspruit Regional Court on Friday. According to the police, he was arrested following international investigations. Five other men had been apprehended as a result of these investigations. The trials of Gregory Robinson, Bert Viljoen, Frederick Conrad Human, Charles Martin Ashford and Renier Dirk Crous have come to an end in different South African courts. The five’s sentences range from a suspended fine of R20 000 to a five-year suspended prison sentence. Malherbe maintains his innocence.
• The so-called Onderberg-ninjas will appear in the Nelspruit Regional Court on Wednesday. Messrs Moses Silinda, Pieto Gwambe, Sam Chauke en Venas Gavane were charged with various counts of robbery and the illegal possession of firearms and ammunition after their arrest in 2011. Their arrest came after more than 100 community members, security companies and the SAPS joined forces in an attempt to track the suspects down, who were allegedly connected to farm attacks in the area.
• Mr Calvin Meshack Mbuyane, who was suspected of supplying rhino poachers with weapons adapted for poaching, does not face any rhino poaching-related charge. He appeared in court last week and the case against him was postponed to November 11. He only faces a charge of illegal possession of ammunition.
