High-Profile Cases Set to Dominate South African Courts in 2026
From corruption and state capture to violent crimes and audacious prison breaks, a multitude of high-profile cases are poised to advance towards trial, or in some instances, judgement, throughout 2026. Here’s a look at some of the key legal battles set to unfold in the coming months.
The murder trial of football star Senzo Meyiwa’s alleged killers continues in the Pretoria high court on 19 January. Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya, Bongani Sandiso Ntanzi, Mthobisi Prince Mncube, Mthokoziseni Maphisa and Fisokuhle Nkani Ntuli are accused of killing Meyiwa in Vosloorus in October 2014. All have pleaded not guilty. The state closed its case last year after submitting evidence linking the suspects to the crime scene through cellphone data and witness statements. Ballistics evidence was also used to charge one of the accused. The defence is currently leading its witnesses.
Former Free State premier Ace Magashule is expected back in the Bloemfontein high court on 26 January. He is accused of benefiting from a multi-million-rand asbestos tender, and the court heard he allegedly received R10m after businessman Edwin Sodi’s company was paid R230m.
Also returning to court on 26 January is the double murder trial of Limpopo pig farmer Zachariah Olivier, 60, and two of his employees, Rudolph de Wet, 19, and William Musora, 45. They are being tried in the Polokwane high court for the murders of Maria Makgato and Kudzai Ndlovu, and the attempted murder of Mabutho Ncube.
Former president Jacob Zuma is also expected to have a legally eventful year. On 26 January, the high court in Pietermaritzburg is due to make a ruling on an application by Zuma and French arms company Thales to have their 1991 arms deal case withdrawn. In June they lost their previous bid to have corruption, fraud, racketeering, and money-laundering charges dropped, but have appealed this. Zuma has also applied for leave to appeal a Pretoria high court ruling in October that he must pay his own legal costs. He has been ordered to pay more than R29m to the State Attorney for fees.
The corruption case involving former Transnet executives and former public enterprises minister Malusi Gigaba will return to the high court on 30 January for the disclosure of the docket, the provision of an indictment, and a date for transfer to the high court. In the dock with Gigaba are former Transnet group CEOs Brian Molefe and Siyabonga Gama, former group CFO Anoj Singh and Thamsanqa Jiyane, former chief procurement officer in Transnet’s Transport Freight Rail division. Gigaba faces corruption charges linked to multibillion-rand locomotive tenders.
Alleged crime boss Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and his co-accused will appear in the Johannesburg high court on 29 January on a raft of charges. Matlala, his wife, Tsakane Matlala, Musa Kekana, Tiego Floyd Mabusela and Zandile Nthabiseng Nzama face 25 charges, including 11 of attempted murder, stemming from three separate shooting incidents between August 2022 and January 2024.
Katiso “KT” Molefe, the alleged mastermind behind the murder of Oupa John Sefoka, better known as DJ Sumbody, Hector Buthelezi, better known as DJ Vintos and Vereeniging engineer Armand Swart, returns to court on 5 February after the case was transferred to the Gauteng high court for trial. Molefe and his co-accused, Michael Pule Tau, 55; Tiego Floyd Mabusela, 45; and Musa Kekana face 35 charges, including murder, conspiracy to commit murder, unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, and other serious offences.
The corruption case against crime intelligence boss Lt-Gen Dumisani Khumalo and his co-accused Maj-Gen Nosipho “Precious” Madondo, Maj-Gen Josias Lekalakala, Brig Phindile Ncube and Brig Dineo Mokwele returns to the Pretoria high court on 13 February. They face charges of fraud and graft relating to the appointment of an unqualified civilian to a senior post in the police service.
Convicted murderer and rapist Thabo Bester, his girlfriend Dr Nandipha Magudumana, and seven co-accused are expected in the Free State high court on 18 March for a pre-trial hearing. Bester’s escape in 2022 from Mangaung Correctional Centre, a maximum-security prison, by setting fire to the cell, drew international attention and even prompted a documentary. Bester, Magudumana, Senohe Matsoara, Zolile Sekeleni, Teboho Liphoko, Buti Masukela, Tieho Makhotsa, Zanda Moyo and Joel Makhetha face charges including fraud, corruption, assisting an inmate to escape, arson, and defeating the ends of justice.
In a case that has shone a spotlight on possible corruption in the judiciary, Pretoria high court judge Portia Phahlane and International Pentecostal Holiness Church leader Mike Sandlana return to the Pretoria specialised commercial crimes court on 6 March as the state advances its case about alleged judicial corruption linked to a long-running church leadership battle. Phahlane, Sandlana and several others face corruption charges stemming from claims that bribes were offered for favourable high court rulings. Phahlane’s son, Kagiso, and church spokesperson Vusi Ndala are also implicated.
Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's trial returns to the Durban high court in April. She is charged with incitement to commit terrorism and two counts of inciting public violence related to the July 2021 riots and unrest, which led to widespread looting.
Former National Assembly speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula will stand trial in July. She faces 12 charges of corruption and one of money laundering after allegedly receiving kickbacks for a defence contract when she was defence minister.
On 9 January, brothers Siyabonga and Malusi Ndimande, identified by police as key figures in the shooting of rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes, are expected to return to court after being extradited from Eswatini in November. They face murder charges after Forbes and his celebrity chef friend Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane were shot dead at the now-closed Wish restaurant on Florida Road, Durban, in February 2023. Their co-accused, Thabani Mkhwanazi, 30; Lindani Zenzile Ndimande, 35; Siyanda Eddie Myeza, 21; Mziwethemba Harvey Gwabeni, 36; and Lindokuhle Mhlaliseni Ndimande, 29, remain in custody until 19 June for further pre-trial matters.
In Limpopo, the Phala Phala farm theft case, involving the theft of about R167m at President Cyril Ramaphosa’s game farm, is expected to resume at the Modimolle regional court. Immanuela David and siblings Floriana and Ndilinasho Joseph are charged with housebreaking, theft and money laundering. The case was postponed last year to secure the services of a Namibian interpreter and the return of an accused who reportedly fell ill during their previous appearance.
The criminal case against diamond dealer Louis Liebenberg, his wife Desiree, 50, and others is scheduled to resume in the Bronkhorstspruit magistrate’s court on 22 January. The group faces 42 charges, including fraud, theft and money laundering. Liebenberg is still awaiting psychiatric evaluation at Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital, months after being formally referred by the court.
EFF leader Julius Malema returns to court in January for sentencing after being found guilty of reckless endangerment and multiple firearm-related offences. The charges stem from the unlawful discharge of a firearm at a party rally in 2018. In November the East London magistrate’s court convicted Malema on five counts related to the incident, finding he was the only person who fired an object resembling a firearm in a public space. His former bodyguard, Adriaan Snyman, was acquitted. Sentencing proceedings are expected to begin on 23 January.
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