Former Dundee police captain Roshanlal Banawo has been sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment after being found guilty of conspiring to murder SAPS Umzinyathi head Major-General Francis Slambert.

Dundee Courier reports that Newcastle Magistrate Ian Colditz also found Banawo unfit to possess a firearm.

The two Section 204 witnesses, William Dlamini and Sthembiso Mdlalose, who were part of the conspiracy but testified against Banawo for the state, were discharged from prosecution.

A Section 204 witness in South Africa is a person who, under Section 204 of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977, is called to testify against others in exchange for indemnity from prosecution for their own involvement in the same crime. This means they are essentially granted immunity from prosecution for their role in the crime if they testify truthfully and fully.

Banawo was arrested in November 2023 when the plot against Slambert became evident.

Slambert survived at least two assassination attempts between May and August 2023.

Banawo, who was dismissed by the SAPS around 2019, has been in custody since his arrest. He is still appealing his dismissal.

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