The state investigates body possibly linked to kidnapping case involving SANDF soldiers

19 September 2022 

The kidnapping and assault case involving three South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers took an unexpected turn in the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court today. The State Prosecutor told the court that it is strongly suspected that a badly burnt body recently discovered is one of the two men who have been missing since February.

The case involves two men – Sibusiso Phetla (39) and Jerome Lebaka (41) – who were kidnapped on 13 February this year. AfriForum’s Private Prosecution Unit is on a watching brief on behalf of Phetla’s mother, Mirriam Phetla.

Soldiers Sinovuyo Botha, Aviwe Dosi and Sindile Ncomelo have been charged with the kidnapping and assault of Phetla and Lebaka. AfriForum’s Private Prosecution Unit has been reliably informed that two of the country’s most senior generals have also been implicated in the crime – but despite instructions from the prosecutor for them to be arrested, this has not happened.

The Prosecutor told the court that DNA samples have been obtained from the recently discovered body as well as the parents of one of the missing men. The matter was postponed until 8 February 2023 to ensure the DNA results are available to the court.

In August, AfriForum’s Private Prosecution Unit filed a service complaint with the SAPS against the investigator who had been assigned to the case. The unit was reliably informed that the detective had simply ignored several instructions from the prosecutor and as a result numerous aspects of the investigation were still outstanding.

Issued by Barry Bateman, Communications Manager: Private Prosecution Unit, AfriForum, 19 September 2022