Africa

Court Remands Woman Accused of Poisoning Two Sons, Defers Bail Hearing

Published

3 months ago

June 10, 2026

Ntanganedzeni Siphugu and the two sons

Court Remands Woman Accused of Poisoning Two Sons, Defers Bail Hearing

A 27-year-old South African woman has briefly appeared in court on charges of murdering her two young children after reportedly administering a poisonous substance to them at their family home in Limpopo. Ntanganedzeni Siphugu made a brief appearance before the Tshilwavhusiku Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, where she has been charged with two counts of murder following the deaths of her children, aged six and nine. Siphugu remains in custody pending the outcome of bail proceedings scheduled for June 12, 2026.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Mashudu Malabi, the alleged incident occurred on June 1, 2026, at Madabani Village in Limpopo. Malabi said prosecutors allege that Siphugu gave the two children a poisonous substance, resulting in both children becoming seriously ill. The children did not show immediate signs of distress on the day of the alleged poisoning. However, both children fell ill the following day. The deaths prompted a police investigation, which ultimately led to Siphugu’s arrest on June 3, 2026. Authorities subsequently charged her with two counts of murder. The case was brought before the Tshilwavhusiku Magistrate’s Court, where proceedings were postponed to June 12, 2026, to allow for a formal bail application. Meanwhile, Siphugu remains in custody pending the outcome of those proceedings. The NPA has signaled its intention to see the matter through the full criminal justice process, with spokesperson Malabi stating that “the National Prosecuting Authority will continue to present the state’s case in court as the matter proceeds through the criminal justice process”.

The sequence of events on June 2, 2026, paints a harrowing picture of the tragedy that unfolded in Madabani Village. At approximately 9:20 am, the father of one of the children, who does not reside with him, transported the six-year-old boy to Tshilwavhusiku Health Centre after the child complained of stomach pains, diarrhoea, and vomiting earlier that morning. The child was certified dead at the facility at around 11:10 am. Later that same day, at about 12:30 pm, police received a complaint from a family member regarding a missing eight-year-old boy who had been at school. A search was conducted in the area, and the child was found dead at his home in Madabani village, lying on a bed wearing a blue tracksuit top and long tracksuit trousers. Emergency Medical Services personnel declared him dead at the scene. Preliminary investigations revealed that the two deceased are siblings from Madabani village, and both deaths are suspected to be linked to poisoning. A forensic pathology post-mortem examination will be conducted to determine the exact cause of death. The motive for the incident is not yet known, though some reports suggest that Siphugu may have poisoned her children following a dispute with their father.

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This tragic case comes amid growing concerns about child poisonings in South Africa, particularly those involving highly toxic substances. The deaths have been linked in other incidents to a pesticide known as Terbufos, an organophosphate chemical legally permitted only for agricultural use, mainly in the cultivation of potatoes and maize. Terbufos, also known as Halephirimi, has been linked to the deaths of more than 175 South Africans annually, according to a review carried out by the Department of Health’s Advisory Committee on Foodborne Illness. Approximately 35 percent of these victims were children. The issue was thrust into the public spotlight after the deaths of six young children in Naledi, Soweto, in October 2024, who consumed snacks bought from a local spaza shop that had been contaminated with the pesticide. Professor Leslie London, a public health expert at the University of Cape Town, described Terbufos as “one of the most toxic pesticides known,” noting that it is classified by the World Health Organisation in the highest toxicity category possible. The effects of Terbufos poisoning can range from eye watering, vomiting and diarrhea to muscle weakness, breathing difficulties, convulsions, coma and eventually death. Despite these tragedies, Terbufos continues to be sold openly for as little as R10 by street vendors and in informal markets, particularly in townships and informal settlements where residents contend with rat infestations. It is not registered for sale in the European Union and has already been banned in a number of other African countries.

The South African government has taken steps to address the crisis. In June 2025, the cabinet approved a ban on Terbufos and its import into South Africa. The Department of Agriculture gazetted a prohibition notice in January 2026, calling for public input until February 27, 2026, with the ban proposed to take effect from February 28, 2026. The ban would prohibit the acquisition, disposal, use, sale, manufacturing, and distribution of agricultural remedies containing Terbufos. However, Professor London expressed concern about the delay in implementation. He estimated that given the rate of deaths in 2023 and 2024 averaging one every second day, a delay of six months or more could mean up to another 100 deaths. “This means prolongation of the fatal poisoning epidemic from Terbufos,” he said. President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the issue in a national address in November 2024, noting that while Terbufos was only registered for agricultural use, it was being sold informally as a so-called “street pesticide” for domestic use in townships to control rats. “After stringent testing, a chip packet found on one of the children who had died had traces of Terbufos on both the inside and the outside of the packet,” he said.

This case is not isolated. In a separate incident in May 2026, a 43-year-old Zimbabwean national was convicted by the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court for the murder of her two young children after poisoning them at a public park in Parktown nearly three years ago. The National Prosecuting Authority confirmed that Lister Nkomo was found guilty on two counts of murder for the deaths of her two-year-old daughter and seven-month-old son, who died on June 3, 2023, at Empire Park in Johannesburg after ingesting poison administered by their mother. According to evidence presented during the trial, Nkomo contacted her sister on the day of the incident and told her that she was in trouble and intended to kill herself together with the children. The sister informed their father, who rushed to the park and discovered both children lying motionless. Nkomo was also found unconscious after allegedly consuming poison herself but survived after receiving medical treatment. A State forensic analyst testified that the substance used was capable of causing death in humans. Nkomo chose not to testify during the trial. When delivering judgment, the magistrate ruled that, without any explanation from Nkomo, the only reasonable inference was that she had poisoned the children.

The case against Ntanganedzeni Siphugu continues to unfold. She is scheduled to return to the Tshilwavhusiku Magistrate’s Court on June 12, 2026, for a formal bail application, where the court will hear arguments on whether she should be released pending trial. The exact nature of the poisonous substance allegedly used in this case remains subject to forensic investigation and post-mortem examination results. The NPA has indicated it will proceed with prosecution as the case moves through the criminal justice system. These incidents highlight the concerning reality of filicide (the killing of one’s own child) in South Africa. While each case has its own circumstances, common factors such as mental health challenges, financial distress, and relationship difficulties often emerge in such tragic cases. As the nation watches closely, hoping for justice for the two young victims whose lives were tragically cut short, the broader crisis of pesticide poisoning and the urgent need for effective regulation of highly toxic substances remain pressing public health concerns.

Court Remands Woman Accused of Poisoning Two Sons, Defers Bail Hearing

Africa

Murder of Nigerian Bishop in South Africa Sparks Outcry Over Unsolved Killings

Published

1 day ago

September 11, 2026

Hamdalat Bisiriyu

Murder of Nigerian Bishop in South Africa Sparks Outcry Over Unsolved Killings

Family and community leaders rally for justice after 58-year-old cleric from Ekiti is assassinated in his Johannesburg residence.

To his congregation and loved ones, Nigerian clergyman Bishop Taiwo Michael Fakunle was a pillar of faith and moral guidance. But that sanctuary was violently shattered inside his Kensington home in Johannesburg when two gunmen forced their way inside and opened fire at point-blank range.

Hit more than seven times, the 58-year-old Ekiti native died at the scene, sending shockwaves across the Nigerian expatriate community and turning deep grief into a collective cry for justice.

Leading the push for accountability, the Nigerian Citizens Association South Africa (NICASA) voiced the community’s sorrow and growing frustration with violent crime.

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Association leaders stressed that Bishop Fakunle’s family, church, and compatriots deserve clear answers rather than empty reassurances.

Urging South African investigators to act with speed and transparency, the group warned authorities against letting the tragedy become another forgotten statistic in an endless stack of unsolved homicides.

As detectives at Jeppe Police Station proceed with the murder inquiry, community heads are calling for robust oversight from Nigerian diplomats while urging the public to exercise restraint.

Despite the intense anger surrounding the brazen attack, leaders emphasized that justice must be pursued through legitimate legal channels.

As mourners across South Africa and Nigeria remember the slain bishop, their message to investigators remains clear: the community will not look away until those responsible are brought before a judge.

Murder of Nigerian Bishop in South Africa Sparks Outcry Over Unsolved Killings

Africa

Court Sentences TV Presenter, 11 Others to Death Over Narcotics Network

Published

6 days ago

September 6, 2026

Trends Admin

Court Sentences TV Presenter, 11 Others to Death Over Narcotics Network

A Cairo criminal court has sentenced Egyptian television presenter Sarah Khalifa and 11 other defendants to death by hanging after convicting them of forming an organized criminal gang involved in manufacturing and trafficking narcotics, as well as possessing unlicensed firearms and ammunition.

The court also sentenced nine defendants to life imprisonment and acquitted seven others, bringing the total number of defendants in the case to 28.

Khalifa, 39, is best known for presenting the crime-focused programme Mission Impossible on the private channel al-Mehwar. She also owns a plastic surgery clinic and a production company that specialises in organising parties and events. She has 2.5 million followers on her Instagram account. Khalifa was arrested in Cairo in April 2025 in connection with the investigation. An arrest warrant was issued on April 17, 2025, and she told prosecutors she was arrested that day, while the formal seizure report was dated April 19.

The Public Prosecution charged Khalifa and 27 other defendants with forming an organized criminal group specializing in importing raw materials used in the manufacture of synthetic narcotics, to produce and traffic the drugs, as well as possessing unlicensed firearms and ammunition. According to the prosecution’s investigations, members of the group divided roles among themselves, with some responsible for importing raw materials, others for manufacturing the drugs, and others for distributing them. The group used a residential property to store the materials and manufacture the drugs. Prosecutors alleged that Khalifa provided funds for the operation and travelled abroad to meet two of the alleged leaders and help coordinate their activities with other members of the group. The case was referred to the criminal court with 28 defendants. The prosecution also ordered the defendants’ assets and bank accounts to be placed under precautionary measures and ordered the continued detention of those in custody. Two defendants who remain at large were placed on travel bans and watch lists.

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The prosecution presented evidence from 20 witnesses, as well as technical and digital evidence, including messages, photographs, and videos that the prosecution said documented the defendants’ alleged criminal activities. Authorities reportedly seized more than 750 kilograms of narcotics and raw materials, and discovered two apartments used as laboratories, as well as unlicensed firearms and ammunition.

Khalifa has consistently denied the charges against her. According to the state-run Akhbar al-Youm newspaper, when asked by a judge about her alleged role during a court appearance last September, Khalifa stated she had never seen any drugs until she was photographed with them inside the anti-narcotics authority offices. In a post on X following the sentencing, she declared: “I’ve never smoked a cigarette in my life. I swear to God, I’m innocent.” In a separate case, the court also sentenced Khalifa and others to five years in prison over the kidnapping and assault of a young man.

The death sentence was confirmed only after the court obtained a religious opinion from the Grand Mufti of Egypt, a legal requirement in capital cases. The Mufti’s opinion is advisory and not binding on the court. Despite the verdict, Khalifa’s lawyer has stated that she will appeal the death sentence. The verdict is subject to appeal before the Court of Cassation, the country’s highest court for criminal cases.

Egypt applies the death penalty for premeditated murder, terrorism, some rape offenses, and drug trafficking. Human rights groups have raised concerns about the use of the death penalty in Egypt. According to a 2025 report by Amnesty International, there were 492 death sentences issued in the country that year, 23 of which were carried out. The Egyptian Commission for Rights and Freedoms reported that 541 death sentences were issued in Egypt in 2025. The defendants were found guilty of drug trafficking and rape, “crimes that did not amount to ‘intentional killing’ to which the use of the death penalty must be restricted under international law and standards,” the Amnesty International report said.

Court Sentences TV Presenter, 11 Others to Death Over Narcotics Network

Africa

Ghana Launches Marrify App to Let Users Verify Partner’s Marital Status Before Marriage

Published

1 week ago

September 5, 2026

Trends Admin

Ghana Launches Marrify App to Let Users Verify Partner’s Marital Status Before Marriage

Ghana has taken a significant step towards curbing deception in marriage with the launch of Marrify, a digital platform designed to help prospective couples verify their partner’s marital status before tying the knot. The app was officially unveiled in Accra on August 28, 2026, in partnership with the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP) and Marry Right Ghana Limited, an agency specialising in family law. The application operates as a searchable digital registry designed to bring transparency to marriage administration. It pulls legal data from several official sources, including the Registrar-General’s Department, courts, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, and the Ghana Gazette. The platform covers records for ordinance, customary and Islamic marriages, as well as divorce records based on court rulings and judgments.

A core feature of the platform is the ability to conduct a formal check on a prospective spouse’s marital history. Users can search the platform using details including names, spouse names, towns, certificate numbers, and Gazette numbers. This helps prevent the emotional, financial and legal complications that can arise when someone enters a relationship without knowing their partner is already married. The platform cautions that records are still being uploaded and a search returning “no result” should not automatically be interpreted as proof that a person has never been married. Individuals and institutions can also submit marriage and divorce records, together with supporting documents, for verification and inclusion on the platform.

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Marrify’s scope extends beyond individual background checks. Members of the public can also use the platform to verify whether marriage venues are duly licensed, churches are registered to conduct marriages, and pastors and imams hold the appropriate licences to legally officiate marriages. This feature closes loopholes in how marriages are solemnised across the country.

Speaking at the launch, Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, commended the initiative for promoting transparency, accountability, and public confidence in marriage administration. She emphasised that marriage extends beyond a legal union, highlighting its social, cultural and economic significance for individuals, children, families and communities. “You would not have to take a person’s word for it, even in the most trusted relationship. You can verify with this app,” she stated. Lartey further noted that the platform could help prevent individuals from entering unions based on incomplete or false information, which can contribute to disputes, fraud and emotional harm. She also described the launch as an important step towards encouraging responsible relationships and strengthening family structures, while contributing to efforts aimed at preventing gender-based violence.

The launch of Marrify addresses a significant challenge in Ghana’s marriage landscape. According to the 2021 Population and Housing Census, 80.8% of married persons in Ghana had not registered their marriages. The data showed that proportions of unregistered marriages range from 59.9% in the Greater Accra Region to a staggering 97.1% in the Northern Region. Dennis Adei Dwomoh, founder of the Marrify App and the Marriage Governance Conference, also raised concerns about marriage data management, stating that marriage and divorce records can have consequences decades later, including for inheritance, property settlements and widowhood rights. The platform brings together historical records dating as far back as 1886.

The Marrify initiative is intended to give prospective couples another way to verify a partner’s marital status before making a legal commitment. The ministry has committed to supporting innovations that strengthen the integrity of marriage administration in Ghana.