Five men accused of murdering two 25-year-old women appear at the Vereeniging Magistrate Court.
Crime S.APosted by admin on 2026-01-23 17:17:30 | Last Updated by admin on 2026-01-28 15:46:16
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VEREENIGING – The five men accused of the gruesome murder of two 25-year-old women have chosen not to apply for bail. The suspects made a brief appearance at the Vereeniging Magistrate’s Court on January 22.
Paseka and Tshepo Makobashane, Thabo Difeto, Aute Motsapi, and Sive Gwinise are charged with the kidnapping, hijacking and murder of Nontokozo Mazibuko and Andiswa Sontangane. Robbery under aggravating circumstances and being in the country illegally is also part of the charge sheet.
The women were last seen at a local soccer ground on December 30. Their families reported them missing the following day. Their partly decomposed bodies were discovered at a plot in Poortjie on January 8.
The case sent shockwaves through the Vaal, further highlighting the ongoing crisis of violence against women in the area.
During their appearance, gender-based violence brigades from the Department of Community Safety protested outside the court, calling for justice. They called for a harsh sentence, citing that they are there to support the family of the victims.
Members of Tosunga Baninga, a Non-Profit Organisation focusing on ending the scourge of GBVF and Child Abuse, held a demonstration outside the court. They placed placards with various messages as well as 15 pairs of shoes belonging to different women. They stated that the number of shoes (15) symbolises the number of women being killed daily.
Inside the courtroom, activist Duduzile Mkhwanazi stood with her hands tied and tape over her mouth to represent the fear the victims likely felt.
“Watching those five men in court today really made me imagine how scared Nontokozo and Andiswa had been. They were helpless and overpowered. This is what we are faced with on a daily basis as women living in this country.”
The suspects told the court they would like to apply for state representation. The suspects are due back in court on February 25.
