South Africa's criminal justice in crisis: 19 critical cases that defined 2025
ATTEMPTED murder accused Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala at Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre in Pretoria, where he appeared before the parliamentary ad hoc committee.
Image: OUPA MOKOENA Independent Newspapers
FORMER minister and ANC Member of Parliament Dr Malusi Gigaba appeared in court alongside former Transnet executives, Brian Molefe, Siyabonga Gama, Anoj Singh, and Thamsanqa Jiyane.
Image: IDAC
Like many years before it, 2025 proved to be a defining year for South Africa’s criminal justice system, marked by high-profile court cases, parliamentary inquiries, and commissions of inquiry. From long-running State Capture prosecutions to shocking allegations of police infiltration by criminal syndicates, the year unfolded across courtrooms, magistrates’ courts, and public hearings nationwide. The year began on a high note, with renewed momentum in several State Capture matters and arrests by the Political Killings Task Team. We have compiled a snapshot of some of the most significant legal developments of the year. Here is a look back at 2025 before judges and magistrates.
JANUARY
1. Transnet State Capture corruption case resumes
Former Transnet executives returned to court on charges of fraud, corruption, and money laundering linked to the controversial locomotive procurement programme. The case signalled a renewed prosecutorial push against corruption in state-owned enterprises.
Those charged include former Group CEO Brian Molefe, former CFO Anoj Singh, former CEO Siyabonga Gama, former chief procurement officer Thamsanqa Jiyane, former acting CFO Garry Pita, former treasurer Phetolo Ramosebudi, Salim Essa, Ashok Narayan, and, more recently, former public enterprises minister Dr Malusi Gigaba. The charges relate to irregular tenders, contraventions of the Public Finance Management Act, and inflated contracts worth billions.
2. SARS “Ghost Export” VAT fraud case advances
Dating back to June 2003, the case against Hendrik Delport and 13 co-accused remains the longest-running criminal trial in SARS history. The accused allegedly claimed VAT refunds for cigarette exports that never occurred. A 16,000-page judgment and repeated postponements have contributed to the case’s extraordinary duration, now exceeding 20 years.
FORMER ANC spokesperson, Pule Mabe, spoke to the media outside the Palm Ridge after his corruption case was postponed to next year.
Image: KAMOGELO MOICHELA IOL News
FEBRUARY
3. SCA ruling in Ngcobo v The State
The Supreme Court of Appeal overturned a murder conviction due to the improper handling of single-witness evidence. The court found that the trial court and the High Court had misdirected themselves by incorrectly finding corroboration in photographic evidence and wrongly rejecting the accused’s alibi. The appellant was acquitted and discharged, highlighting ongoing concerns about fair-trial standards in violent-crime cases.
MARCH
4. Pule Mabe corruption case
Former ANC spokesperson Pule Mabe returned to court on charges linked to a R27 million tender involving waste-collection tricycles (“tuk-tuks”) awarded to his company, Enviro Mobi, by the Ekurhuleni Metro Municipality.
The matter was postponed to October 2025 and later to February 2026 after a brief appearance by Mabe and his six co-accused. All are out on R30,000 bail. The Special Investigating Unit obtained a preservation order preventing Mabe from selling his Steyn City property and Porsche Carrera.
5. The State Capture progress report released
The Presidency announced that 21% of State Capture cases had been finalised or enrolled, with more than 50% under active investigation. Government recoveries of stolen public funds reached nearly R11 billion, up from R2.9 billion in 2022. This includes R2.9 billion recovered by the SIU and R8 billion by the Asset Forfeiture Unit, with assets worth R10.6 billion under restraint or preservation orders. Major recoveries include settlements with ABB (R2.55bn), McKinsey (R1.12bn), and SAP (R1.16bn).
6. Yakhe Kwinana extortion case
Former SAA board member Yakhe Kwinana was arrested on March 17 on charges including extortion and malicious damage to property linked to a dispute over her family farm near East London Airport. Her bail was set at R2,000, and the charges were later reduced to two counts.
The case has faced repeated delays, with Kwinana’s legal team accusing the NPA of procedural failures. A final postponement was set for January 12, 2026. In a separate matter, Kwinana was struck off the SAICA roll in 2023 for serious misconduct related to State Capture at SAA.
FORMER board member of the South African Airways (SAA), Yakhe Kwinana, appears in the East London Magistrate's Court for extortion and malicious damage to property.
Image: National Prosecuting Authority
APRIL
7. Asbestos corruption trial date confirmed
One of South Africa’s largest corruption cases moved closer to trial, with a date confirmed for former Free State premier Ace Magashule and businessman Edwin Sodi. The case involves R255 million paid for asbestos-roof removal work that allegedly never took place. Charges include fraud, corruption, and money laundering, pointing to kickbacks and abuse of procurement processes.
MAY
8. The Phala Phala theft case postponed
The Modimolle Regional Court postponed the case to September 15, 2025, to allow accused Froliana Joseph time to give birth and recover. Joseph, her brother Ndilinasho Joseph, and alleged ringleader Immanuwela David face charges of housebreaking, theft, and conspiracy related to the burglary at President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Limpopo farm. All have pleaded not guilty. The NPA also submitted extradition requests to Namibia for two suspects linked to the case.
JUNE
9. Cradock Four inquest returns
The long-delayed inquest into the 1985 murders of Matthew Goniwe, Fort Calata, Sicelo Mhlauli, and Sparrow Mkonto resumed at the Gqebera High Court. Proceedings focused initially on testimony from family members. The matter was adjourned to March 2026.
10. Inkosi Simphiwe Zuma triple-murder trial
Nxamalala Traditional Authority leader Inkosi Simphiwe Zuma was arrested for the murder of his cousin, Induna Qalokunye Zuma. After being released on bail, he was re-arrested by the Political Killings Task Team for the murder of his nephew, Umngeni Municipality DA chief whip Nhlalayenza Ndlovu. Zuma now faces three murder charges and remains in custody at Westville Prison.
THREE accused in the Phala Phala theft case Imanuwela David, Froliana Joseph and her brother Ndilinasho are accused of stealing more than R10 million from President Cyril Ramaphosa's farm in Limpopo.
Image: File/NPA
JULY
11. Police-state infiltration scandal erupts
President Cyril Ramaphosa removed Police Minister Senzo Mchunu following explosive allegations linking him to criminal syndicates. The claims emerged during a July 6 media briefing by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. The fallout led to the establishment of the Madlanga Commission and a parliamentary ad hoc committee.
AUGUST–SEPTEMBER
12. Madlanga Commission hearings begin
The commission heard allegations of a criminal-police cartel known as the “Big Five” syndicate. Claims included hit-squad operations, drug and firearms smuggling, and infiltration of hospitals, procurement systems, and SAPS units. Some witnesses alleged interference by judges and prosecutors in syndicate-linked cases.
13. Tembisa Hospital R2 billion corruption scandal
The SIU released findings detailing extensive procurement fraud at Tembisa Hospital in Gauteng. The investigation uncovered fraudulent suppliers, rigged tenders, front companies, and alleged intimidation and killings of whistle-blowers, including Babita Deokaran. Luxury homes, vehicles, and bank accounts were seized.
CONTROVERSIAL businessman Edwin Sodi appeared in court over the asbetos tender in the Free State. The case involves R255 million paid for asbestos-roof removal work that allegedly never took place.
Image: Screenshot
OCTOBER
14. Major cases postponed again
The SARS Ghost Export trial was postponed once more, pushing proceedings into late 2025. The SAPS “Blue Lights” corruption case, involving R19 million in alleged tax fraud, was also delayed.
15. Arrest of Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala
Alleged syndicate figure Vusimuzi Matlala was arrested and charged with attempted murder of a former girlfriend. He is believed to be a key player in the Tembisa Hospital scandal and evidence presented before the Madlanga Commission.
NOVEMBER
16. Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla trial begins
Former uMkhonto weSizwe Party MP Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla stood trial on charges of incitement related to the July 2021 unrest. She pleaded not guilty, with the case widely viewed as a test of accountability for politically linked mass violence.
FORMER uMkhonto weSizwe Party Member of Parliament Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla appears in court for her trial on charges of incitement related to the July 2021 unrest. She has maintained her innocence.
Image: DOCTOR NGCOBO Independent Newspapers
CONVICTED murderer and rapist Thabo Bester and Nandipha Magudumana who are challenging the circumstances of their deportation from Tanzania. The trial has been postponed to July 2026.
Image: File.
DECEMBER
17. Jacob Zuma and Thales return to court
The long-running arms-deal corruption case continues, with former president Jacob Zuma and arms manufacturer Thales applying to have charges withdrawn. Judge Nkosinathi Chili reserved judgment for January 23, 2026. Earlier in June, the judge dismissed an appeal by Zuma and Thales, allowing the trial to proceed.
18. Thabo Bester pre-trial hearing
Convicted murderer Thabo Bester and several co-accused, including Dr Nandipha Magudumana, returned to court on charges related to his escape from custody, fraud, corruption, and prison-security breaches. The accused are contesting their deportation from Tanzania. The matter was postponed to July 2026.
19. Shebeshxt attempted murder charges
Popular lekompo musician Lehlogonolo Chauke, known as Shebeshxt, spent Christmas behind bars after he was denied bail at the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court.
The “Rato Laka” hitmaker appeared in court on on December 3, where the magistrate denied his bail application and postponed the matter to February, 2026.
His lawyer, Advocate Isaac Mokgopo, acting on instructions from Ramusi Attorneys, had previously applied for bail of R50,000. He is facing various charges including the shooting of two men in Ladanna in Limpopo.-Additional reporting by Sabelo Nsele, Kamogelo Moichela, Lee Rondganger and Yasmine Jacobs
INKOSI Simphiwe Zuma, who is facing three murder charges at the Howick Magistrate's Court will spend Christmas in jail after his bail application was postponed last week. One of the murders, the killing of a DA councillor who was his nephew was cracked by the Political Killings Task Team.
Image: SABELO NSELE
LEHLOGONOLO Chauke, popularly known as Shebeshxt is currently in police custody and will not be able to fulfil his gig commitments this festive season. The lekompo star is facing several charges including attempted murder.
Image: Meta