The matter arose after Nyoni challenged the conclusion of his fixed-term employment contract in the Office of the Premier, which came to an end on 28 February 2026. He sought urgent court intervention to suspend the decision confirming the expiry of his contract and to compel continued compliance with the terms of his employment agreement.

Following the expiry of the contract in February, Nyoni lodged an urgent application at the high court in March 2026. The application was in two fold. In Part A, the applicant lodged the application as an urgent matter, while in Part B, he was challenging the legality of employment contract.

The court found amongst other matters the following:
-The application did not meet the legal threshold for urgency and was therefore improperly
brought on an urgent basis.
-The applicant ought to have been aware well in advance that his fixed-term contract would
expire on 28 February 2026.
-The letter issued by the Director-General on 4 March 2026 did not terminate the contract but
merely confirmed its expiry.
-There was no automatic right to permanent employment arising from the contract, as key
conditions for such an outcome were not met.
-The court further emphasised that even if the letter confirming the expiry were set aside, it
would not revive a contract that had already lapsed by operation of time.

The court ordered that the application be struck from the roll due to lack of urgency and the applicant, Nyoni to pay the legal costs of the respondents the Director General and the Premier, including the costs of two counsel.

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This is after the court in its ruling found no evidence of negligence on the part of the nurses, midwives or clinical staff who attended to the mother and the new-born.

The department states that the court confirmed that the department’s staff acted professionally, reasonably and in accordance with accepted medical standards.

“Importantly, the judgment reinforces a long-standing medical and legal principle: not every adverse medical outcome, including cerebral palsy or neurological disability, is caused by negligence. Many such conditions arise from underlying clinical factors such as low birth weight, HIV exposure, maternal obesity, intrauterine growth restriction and other antenatal complications,” reads a statement.

READ | State-of-the-art burn ward launched at Robs

The court also highlighted the importance of accurate clinical records, which played a pivotal role in demonstrating that no incident of falling, head trauma or negligent conduct occurred during delivery.

MEC for Health, Sasekani Manzini welcomed the judgment, stating that court’s clear findings are noted with appreciation.

“This judgment affirms that our healthcare workers continue to undertake their duties with professionalism and care, often under challenging conditions. It also strengthens our ongoing efforts to protect public resources by ensuring that only legitimate medico-legal claims succeed.”

Manzini added that the department remains committed to improving the quality of care in all facilities, strengthening clinical governance, and supporting our healthcare professionals so that they are able to provide safe and compassionate services to communities.

ALSO READ | Electronic medical system launched

“The department continues to invest in quality improvement, staff training and strengthened record-keeping systems to reduce avoidable harm and ensure accountability. At the same time, it will continue to robustly defend claims where evidence does not support negligence allegations,” said the MEC.

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This Sitting followed a vacancy in the Office of the Speaker after the appointment of former Speaker, Lindi Masina into the
Provincial Executive Council.

The Sitting was conducted in line with Section 111(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996. To ensure the process was constitutionally compliant and impartial, the Chief Justice of South Africa designated the Judge President of the Mpumalanga Division of the High Court, Segopotje Sheila Mphahlele, in terms of Section 111(2) of the Constitution, to preside over the proceedings.

Following a transparent election process, Makhosazane Masilela was duly elected as the new Speaker of the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature. Her election marks a return to familiar ground, as she previously served with distinction in this role from 2 March 2020 until 28 May 2024 during the sixth Legislature.

READ | Premier reconfigures provincial cabinet

In her acceptance speech, Speaker Masilela expressed her deep appreciation to the members of the Legislature for the confidence placed in her. She committed herself to serving with honesty, integrity, and a people-centred approach to leadership.

“I stand here humbled and honoured by the trust bestowed upon me. I will never betray this confidence, and I pledge to uphold the values of this Legislature with dignity and dedication,” she affirmed.

She further acknowledged the work of her predecessor and committed to continuing the momentum of building a Legislature that is truly transparent, and rooted in the needs of the people.

“We are here to respond to the historic and social injustices of our past while building a better life for all. I will hit the ground running and ensure that our constitutional mandate of law-making, oversight, and public participation is fully realised.”

The Speaker emphasised her intention to work in a collaborative spirit with all political parties represented in the Legislature. She underlined that even in disagreement, there must be unity of purpose to deliver on the work of the Legislature.

“We are one people, one nation. It is only through mutual respect and a shared commitment to our constitutional duties that we can truly serve our communities,” she added.

READ | Premier signs MOU with Chinese municipality

With her re-election completed, the Judge President officially granted the Speaker the authority to take the chair and proceed with the business of the day, marking the start of a new chapter in the seventh administration of the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature.

All the political parties represented in the Legislature wished the Speaker well during her tenure and committed their unwavering support for her and the developmental work of the Legislature as enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic. They all urged her to be impartial in directing the business of the Legislature and concentrate the work to making an impact to the people of
the province.

The post Makhosazane Masilela re-elected as MPL Speaker appeared first on MP Mirror Online.

READ | Kwaggafontein shop owner arrested for rape

Tshabalala’s troubles began in 2020 when he was arrested for fraud and corruption, and his Mercedes Benz vehicle was seized. He was later arrested twice more – once for possessing an unlicensed firearm and again for attempting to bribe a senior Hawks officer with R122 600 to make his case disappear and release his vehicle.

Despite being granted bail, Tshabalala absconded his court dates, leading to the issue of a warrant for his arrest. The Hawks are currently searching for him.

READ MORE | Six arrested during Operation Vala Umgodi

In a related development, the Hawks Priority Crime Specialised Investigation and the National Prosecuting Authority’s Asset Forfeiture Unit secured a forfeiture order of R145,100 against Tshabalala, which was granted by the Mpumalanga High Court on January 7. 

The post High court issues arrest warrant for Sambulo Tshabalala appeared first on MP Mirror Online.

The tragic incident that took place in August 2023 at Loding Village near Vaalbank where the accused stabbed Grace Tebogo Sebothoma (64) multiple times then robbed her of her personal belongings.

In addition, she received a 10-year sentence for the robbery with aggravating circumstances. The court ordered that the two sentences run concurrently.

READ | Teen arrested for stuffing infant in schoolbag

The Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi emphasised the clarion call for society to join hands with the Police in safeguarding vulnerable populations.

“We hope this sentence will send a strong message to young people who commit crime, that they will have to bear the consequences. Take note that one of our strategies within the SAPS, is the Youth Crime Prevention Desk, which was established as a platform for young people to get together and engage in issues affecting them. We encourage young people to get involved in the fight against crime, not be perpetrators of crime, ” said the General.

The post Teenager sentenced to 18 years in prison appeared first on MP Mirror Online.

This is after Mkhonto pleaded guilty in the Mpumalanga Division of the High Court
for the murder of Sergeant Mandlenkosi Happy Thwala who was employed at the Kabokweni Police Station.

She previously told the court she was in a romantic relationship with the deceased and that they were residing together until July 2022 in Gedlembane, outside Mbombela.

However, she later moved back to her parental home. On August 2, Mkhonto visited the deceased in Gedlembane and an altercation between the two ensued. The deceased fell asleep and the accused took the deceased’s service pistol and fatally shot him several times while asleep in bed.

READ | Police officer kills wife and injures children

She then left the scene, taking the deceased’s firearm and vehicle. On her way to her homestead in Masoyi, she came across a road block in Zwelisha, near KaBokweni and threw away the deceased firearm which was found by the members of the public the following morning. Upon her arrival at home, she then informed her friend about the crime she committed and the police were alerted.

She was arrested and the state successfully opposed her release on bail .

Acting Judge Sheila Msibi, remarked that the killing of a police officer is a loss to the state and the society at large.She said, law enforcement officers are servants of the law.

She said she found that there were substantial and compelling circumstances justifying deviation from the ordained minimum sentence of life. She sentenced the accused to 20 years direct imprisonment, and was automatically declared unfit to possess a firearm in terms of Section 103 of the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000.

The post Cop murderer to spend 20 years behind bars appeared first on MP Mirror Online.

His request was made on Monday when he appeared in the Mbombela High Court on Monday for the murder of his girlfriend, Nontobeko Msithini whose body was stuffed in a bag in Barberton last year.

READ | “Enough is enough”- Barberton residents

During his appearance, he requested the court to give him time to go through documentation as he would be representing himself during the trial.

Speaking to Mpumalanga Mirror, the deceased’s aunt Andiswa Maphanga said it seems as if he is coming up with delay tactics. “As a family we are not pleased with how the trial commenced because we thought there would be progress. We did not expect what just took place. His actions show that he might just be trying to buy time,” she said.

READ| Murder accused requests courtroom to be cleared

The trial will continue on February 27.

The post Murder accused to represent himself after dumping lawyer appeared first on MP Mirror Online.

Her mother Wanter Jabulile Dlamini’s body was found dumped at a local dumping area near an abattoir in Barberton in January 2020. She was assaulted, raped, and strangled until she died.

Mthunywa’s sentencing comes after she entered into a plea sentence agreement with the state. The accused was charged along with her sister, Bathabile Penelope Mthunywa, Nombuso Philadelphia Ndwandwa and Steen Silo Mashakeng.

READ | Rassie Nkuna pleads guilty to siblings’ murder

It is reported that Dlamini was having drinks with some of the accused when her beer was poisoned. The following day, Valencia invited her mother over to her boyfriend’s house and conspired to kill her to claim an R80 000 insurance policy signed up under Ndwandwa in 2019.

 

A few days later, a claim from Old Mutual was received from the deceased daughters. The police investigations led to the arrest of the accused. In court one accused pleaded guilty which resulted in the separation of trials. The case against the remaining accused was postponed to for 18 November to 6 December 2024 for the new presiding officer and trial.

The court further handed her a five-year direct imprisonment sentence for attempted murder and three years for defeating the ends of justice. It further ordered the sentences imposed on attempted murder and defeating the ends of justice to run concurrently with the sentence imposed on murder. Mthunywa  was also declared unfit to possess a firearm in terms of the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000.

The post Daughter sentenced to 20 years for mother’s murder appeared first on MP Mirror Online.

His sentence is following 22 counts ranging from nine counts of rape, six counts of kidnapping, three counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances, three counts of pointing a firearm and a count of possession of an unlicensed firearm.

READ | Man assaulted following rape incident

Zulu committed all crimes from January 2011 until November 2014 around Pienaar and Kabokweni. According to the National Prosecuting Authority(NPA),he would target his victims at gunpoint, take them to a nearby house and rape them.

He would sometimes take his victims to a nearby graveyard, rape them and rob them of their belongings like cellphones and cash. One of the victims was a minor when the incident happened while three other victims were gang raped by the accused and his other unknown co-perpetrators.

READ MORE | Father sentenced for raping daughter at gravesite

In another incident, he raped a 38 year-old woman after he struck a conversation with her on her way to the shop. His other victim was raped the Msogwaba Cemetery where he pointed a firearm at her, laid her on a grave and raped her.

He pleaded not guilty in court and claimed he got consent from a victim who identified him. State Advocate Tshepo Mahasha led evidence of all victims who testified about how the incident happened. The court found no substantial and compelling circumstances to justify deviation from the imposition of the prescribed minimum sentence. He was declared unfit to possess a firearm, it further ordered the accused’s name to be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders and declared unfit to work with children.

The post Seven life terms and 83 years imprisonment for serial rapist appeared first on MP Mirror Online.

During the proceedings, the court heard how Msimango made the lives of the women difficult by terrorising them and thinking that was going to get away with it. In August, November 2013 and December 2014 he raped three pensioners in Tonga where he assaulted and robbed them of their personal belongings.

READ | Two life sentences and an additional 40 years for convicted rapist

“Msimango’s violent acts against women did not stop but further continued where in January 10, 2015, he viciously assaulted a 35-year-old woman also robbed her of her personal belongings and raped her. On the same year in September, he raped a 66-year-old woman and robbed her of her personal items as well,” the court heard.

Among the victims was a teenager at the time who he raped, threatened with with a knife and assaulted her in Mangweni. Another woman suffered the same fate when she was raped on Christmas Day in 2018. 

Msimango was arrested in Tonga and remained in custody after all his bail attempts were unsuccessful until his trial.

ALSO READ | Serial rapist gets life sentence and 86 years imprisonment

The sentencing is as follows:

• On the two counts of assault with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm, he was sentenced to three years imprisonment for each count.

• On the two counts of robbery, he was sentenced to three years imprisonment for each count.

•  On the seven counts of rape, he was sentenced to life imprisonment for each count.

The accused was also declared unfit to possess a firearm and his particulars will be registered into the National Register for Sex Offenders. He was also found unfit to work with children and his particulars will also be registered in the National Child Protection Register. 

The Acting Judge of the High Court, Jansen van Rensburg, has ordered that all sentences to run concurrently with the life sentences.

The post Rapist to serve seven life terms behind bars appeared first on MP Mirror Online.