ZiMoja updates on the latest crime news in parts of the country. 

GAUTENG: Police have launched a manhunt for a man who allegedly raped and killed a six-year-old girl in Orlando, Soweto, on Monday the 21 October. SAPS spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo said the girl was reportedly playing with other children when the suspect called her to his rented shack at one of the houses in Orlando. The suspect allegedly raped and killed the girl inside the shack. The matter was reported to the police, who immediately responded and started searching for the suspect who is on the run.The police are appealing to the community to assist in locating Pethe Sara Simia to assist in the investigation.

GAUTENG: The Pretoria High Court sentenced Tumelo Mokone (25) and Kagiso Mokone (25) to four life terms each for four counts of murder, 15 years each for robbery with aggravating circumstances, five years each for theft, five years each for possession of a firearm and an additional five years each for possession of ammunition. 

Onthantile Sebati (22), who was a teenager during the commission of the crime was sentenced to 25 years of direct imprisonment each for four counts of murder, 10 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances, five years for theft, five years for possession of a firearm and an additional five years for possession of ammunition. NPA spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana ssid Sebati was sentenced in accordance with the Child Justice Act, Sections 69 and 77 of the Criminal Procedure Act. Sebati conspired with her two male accomplices to murder her family at their home in Mmakau, North West Province. On 6 December 2016, Tumelo and Kagiso Mokone collected her father's firearm during the day. That evening, Sebati pretended to dispose of water, but she opened the gate for her accomplices and handed Kagiso her father's car keys. Tumelo then entered the house and fatally shot Sebati's 42-year-old father, 40-year-old mother, 19-year-old pregnant sister and six-year-old brother. The two men fled the scene in Sebati's father's car but abandoned the vehicle shortly afterwards when it got stuck in the mud. On 16 December 2021, Sebati turned herself into the police and confessed to the crime, leading to the arrest of Tumelo and Kagiso on 18 December 2021. Both men also made confessions to the police, detailing their roles in the murders. However, during the trial, all three accused pleaded not guilty and disputed the confessions. After a trial-within-a-trial, the judge ruled the confessions admissible. 

Sebati had arranged the murder of her family, paying Tumelo and Kagiso R50 000 each for the crime. 

EASTERN CAPE: Four accused appeared before the Motherwell Magistrate's Court in Gqeberha, facing charges in connection with murders allegedly linked to insurance payout schemes that have shaken the Dyakalashe Street community in Motherwell. 

The NPA's Luxolo Tyali said the accused, Andisiwe Siwe Zondani (32), Siphamandla Spa Matsha (29), Ayanda Akhanani Yeklea (29) and Siphokazi Mabuto (27) face a total of 17 charges, including six counts of conspiracy to commit murder, two counts of murder, five counts of attempted murder and multiple counts related to the unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition. According to the allegations, Siphokazi Mabuto orchestrated the hits on her aunt, Kholelwa Mabuto, whom she referred to as her mother. Kholelwa, an employee of the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality, had named Siphokazi as a beneficiary on her insurance policies. On 17 April 2024, a shooting at the Mabuto family home in Motherwell left Kholelwa permanently blind and her brother, Thando Mabuto, injured. Following the attack, Siphokazi's boyfriend, Sicelo Manyashe, brought his sister, Thembakazi Manyashe, to assist in caring for Kholelwa. 

A second tragic incident occurred on 9 October 2024, when a shooting took place at the same residence, this time in the presence of six family members. During the attack, Siyanda Mabuto and Sicelo Manyashe were fatally shot. Police investigations revealed that the crimes were allegedly motivated by a desire to claim insurance payouts and inheritance. The four accused were subsequently arrested and during their court appearance on Monday, they all abandoned their bail applications. The case has been postponed to 25 November 2024 for further investigations.