‘It’s a joke’: KZN detective guilty of plotting commissioner’s murder dismisses 10-year sentence

Former police detective Captain Roshanel Banawo has been found guilty of plotting the murder of Umzinyathi District Commissioner Major General Francis Slambert.

Banawo appeared in the Newcastle Regional Court on Wednesday, which found that he had conspired to kill Slambert.

The former police captain was sentenced to 10 years in jail. His defence asked for a wholly suspended sentence.

When asked about his reaction to the sentence, Banawo dismissively responded: “It’s a joke.”

He was responding to questions from the media inside the court.

Banawo denied plotting to kill Slambert.

Former SAPS Detective Captain Roshanlal Banawo has been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment after being found of plotting to murder former Mountain Rise police station commander Major-General Francis Slambert.
Read full story here: https://t.co/pmPeiULBv6 #kzn #Police pic.twitter.com/aQk1XNXBOE

— The Witness (@WitnessKZN) May 14, 2025

The 63-year-old former detective was arrested on 26 November 2023, when Francis’ assassination plans were revealed by the KZN task team.

KZN detective’s conviction details

Banawo was found guilty on one count of conspiracy to commit murder but acquitted on a second charge of incitement to murder.

The former police captain has been in custody since his arrest in November 2023, having been denied bail on three separate occasions.

The case began formal proceedings on 10 September 2024, after being transferred to the provincial organised crime unit for thorough investigation following his initial arrest.

ALSO READ: JMPD takes action against illegal and unsafe delivery bikers, 10 foreign nationals arrested

Mystery surrounding motive for murder

Despite the conviction, authorities have not yet established why Banawo plotted to kill the District Commissioner.

According to The Witness, Magistrate Theunis Colditz, delivering the judgment, stated: “For some reason which is not clear, the accused seems to have some sort of obsession with the complainant.

“I don’t understand why he had a grudge against her—she was not involved in his dismissal.”

Banawo was dismissed from the South African Police Service (Saps) in 2021, having served for 39 years, after illicit substances were found in his home.

According to police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda, Banawo was running a criminal cartel, and tried to “capture” Slambert.

“As a commander dedicated to her work, Slambert refused to be captured and Banawo ordered two hitmen to kill her,” said Netshiunda.

He was subsequently arrested in November 2023 following intelligence that revealed alleged attempts to assassinate Slambert.

ALSO READ: Why Chris Hani’s killer went free but Alison Botha’s rapists went back to jail

Multiple assassination attempts

The court reportedly heard details of a “chilling case” involving at least two alleged attempts on Slambert’s life.

Between May and August 2023, Slambert survived two assassination attempts while serving as district commissioner in Dundee.

She had previously worked as a station commander at Peter Maritzburg’s Mountain Rise Police Station.

Netshiunda said Banawo attempted the total three assassinations on Slambert’s life due to “both personal and reasons related to the Slambert’s work.”

Financial incentives for hitmen

Witnesses reportedly testified that Banawo had offered R50,000 to hired hitmen to carry out the assassination.

The court acknowledged there were inconsistencies in the testimonies of the hitmen.

“Although the testimonies of the two hired hitmen were inconsistent and must be treated with caution—as they were accomplice witnesses—there was sufficient evidence to support the charge of conspiracy to commit murder,” Colditz explained.

The court rejected Banawo’s claim that he had been set up and that witnesses were used to entrap him.

Netshiunda confirmed that the court also declared Banawo unfit to possess a firearm.

NOW READ: Millions unaccounted for as ex-mine bosses face court over fraud