Man jailed for threatening magistrate

A 42-year-old man from Emganwini has been sentenced to one month in prison for threatening to assault a magistrate after expressing anger over a prison sentence imposed on him in 2024.

Xolani Ndlovu was convicted of assault by Western Commonage magistrate Bethel Negato after threatening magistrate Joshua Nembaware.

Although Ndlovu pleaded not guilty, the court sentenced him to two months imprisonment, with one month suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour, leaving an effective one-month jail term.

Prosecutor Audrey Kufandikanwe told the court that Nembaware had previously presided over a criminal matter involving Ndlovu at Plumtree Magistrates Court in October 2024.

In that case, Ndlovu had been convicted of unlawful entry and sentenced to 36 months imprisonment, with portions of the sentence suspended on conditions, resulting in an effective 24-month prison term.

The court heard that on April 18, 2026, at around 5pm, Ndlovu allegedly confronted Nembaware at Caravan Shops in Cowdray Park and demanded to know why he had imposed the custodial sentence.

According to the prosecution, Ndlovu then threatened the magistrate in isiNdebele, saying: "Ngizakulimaza, nxa ngingakulimazanga ngizakuthumela abantu bekulimaze," which translates to: "I will hurt you, and if I don't, I will send people to hurt you."

The matter was subsequently reported to police, leading to Ndlovu's arrest.