05/08/2026
The man accused of driving the vehicle that allegedly delivered the gunmen who executed Sinovuyo Dyokwe has abandoned his bail application. He has two previous convictions and is already facing pending murder and robbery charges.
There is a cruel irony in what happened in court. The accused wanted to hide his face behind a mask and opposed media coverage of the proceedings. But Sinovuyo can no longer speak for herself. The court rightly allowed the media in. Extortion thrives in the shadows. Justice demands transparency.
According to the State, the accused allegedly drove the vehicle that transported the shooters who fired 10 shots at Sinovuyo after she left the local government registration table she was managing.
Before her murder, Sinovuyo had reported alleged extortion to SAPS. In an affidavit, she described being pressured to pay “protection” money, threatened when she refused, and living in fear after becoming politically active in her community.
This is about more than one murder. It is about whether organised extortion syndicates are attempting to intimidate community leaders and interfere with democratic participation.
And the violence continues. Last night, two more people were reportedly murdered in Witsand in incidents believed to be linked to extortion.
South Africa cannot allow extortionists to decide who may serve their community, who may participate in democracy, or who gets to live without fear. Justice must be swift, and every person who planned, facilitated or carried out these crimes must be brought to book.
