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

FREE STATE: The police in Free State have launched a manhunt for the wife of a teacher who was found murdered with more than 30 stab wounds in Botshabelo over a year ago. Police spokesperson Sergeant Mahlomola Kareli said they received information from the local hospital about a murder in September last year. A patrol vehicle was dispatched to the hospital, and on arrival, a report was given that the teacher, Fezile Mnyobisi (35) was brought by his wife Halimmah Thamando-Mnyobisi (38) in a private vehicle and was declared dead on arrival. Mnyobisi was allegedly attacked near a school. The police initially opened robbery and murder cases and after investigations, the wife was linked to the murder. Three people, including Halimmah's brother, were arrested last Friday and charged with murder and conspiracy to murder. The police said Halimmah is on the run and driving a black Mazda CX-5 with unknown registration numbers. "The wanted suspect has been evading arrest. Anyone with information on her whereabouts is urged to contact Detective Captain Sandile Dladla on 082 560 4727, Detective Warrant Officer Lehlohonolo Tloanyane on 073 261 8753, Detective Sergeant Lebohang Nkopane on 068 098 8350, or Crime Stop on 08600 10111," Kareli said. 

EASTERN CAPE: The Cradock Regional Court has sentenced Yvonne Brouwers (29) to ten years behind bars for the murders of her neighbour and her stepmother. Brouwers first murdered her neighbour John Mondo on 01 February 2023. She stabbed Mondo after a confrontation at his home. Brouwers had gone to Mondo's house to enquire about an alleged incident where he had struck her child. She claimed that during the argument, Mondo drew a knife and attempted to stab her, but she took the knife from him and stabbed him to death. She was arrested and released on bail. In February this year, while still on bail for Mondo's murder, she killed her stepmother, Nontsokolo Mthathi (64) by striking her in the head with a mug during an argument at their home in Nxuba, formerly known as Cradock. Mthathi was taken to the hospital, treated for the injury and discharged to go home. She later died at home and a post-mortem examination revealed that her death was caused by internal bleeding in her skull, which resulted from the blow to her head. Brouwer was sentenced to ten years for Mondo's murder and six years for her stepmother's death. The sentences will run concurrently.

EASTERN CAPE: An accountant has been convicted and sentenced by the Gqeberha Specialised Commercial Crimes Court to 15 years of direct imprisonment without a fine for the theft of R18 million. Liezel Badenhorst (44), a former law firm trust accountant, was employed by DuToit Attorneys in Gqeberha from 2008 until her resignation in 2023 and was responsible for managing the firm's client trust accounts. Between February 2018 and March 2023, Badenhorst used an internal banking system to transfer funds from the trust account into her personal bank accounts. She accessed DTS's banking system using unauthorised credentials and fraudulently altered banking details to divert funds for her benefit. She managed to steal over R17,9M. After the company discovered the fraud, Badenhorst voluntarily resigned last year and later admitted to the charges, citing gambling addiction as the main reason for her actions.