Pieter Johan Smith, a 57-year-old former mathematics teacher at a primary school near Brits in North West province and a karate instructor, was sentenced to life imprisonment by the High Court in Pretoria for the murder of his wife, Theonette Smith, also 57. He was additionally convicted of defeating or obstructing the course of justice. The sentencing followed his conviction for events that occurred on the night of 12 October 2024.
Court evidence established that the couple had been drinking alcohol at their home that evening to celebrate Smith’s permanent appointment by the North West Department of Education. An argument broke out. Smith told the court that Theonette became aggressive under the influence of alcohol, slapped him, and bit him. He stated that he slapped her back in response, left her in the lounge, and went to sleep. He later realised she was dead, loaded her body into his vehicle, and dumped it half-naked in a field near the railway line in the Rashoop area outside Brits.
The following day, 13 October 2024, a passerby discovered Theonette Smith’s body beside the railway tracks. Smith had reported her missing to the police after the argument. Police found blood evidence at the couple’s home and in Smith’s car, leading to his arrest on the same day. He remained in custody after bail was denied in the Brits Magistrate’s Court in November 2024.
During the trial in the Pretoria High Court, Smith initially entered a guilty plea, but the court changed it to not guilty after a defence expert suggested that Theonette’s death could have resulted from a spontaneous brain bleed linked to her medication, alcohol consumption, and high blood pressure. A state pathologist contradicted this, testifying that there were no signs of an aneurysm and that the only cause of death was blunt-force trauma to the head and face. The court rejected the defence version and convicted Smith of murder as well as defeating the ends of justice for dumping the body and misleading investigators.
In his plea in mitigation ahead of sentencing, Smith told the court he had no intention of killing his wife, that he loved her, and that the 17 months since her death had been “hell” for him. He maintained that the incident followed an argument during their celebration and that he acted only in response to her aggression. The state prosecutor argued during cross-examination that Smith’s testimony was aimed at portraying Theonette negatively, that he had shown no respect for her by leaving her body exposed, and that he had lied to the police afterwards.
Acting Judge Melissa Jordaan handed down sentence on Friday, finding that no substantial and compelling circumstances existed to justify a lesser term. The judge noted Smith’s breach of his duty as a husband, the violation of his wife’s dignity by the manner in which her body was left, and the absence of genuine remorse. Smith received life imprisonment for the murder and a concurrent five-year sentence for defeating the ends of justice.
The court heard that Smith and Theonette had been married since 30 April 2022. No prior history of domestic violence was presented during proceedings. Smith remains in custody following the judgment.
Foreign National Avoids Drunk Driving Charge at Durban Roadblock Despite Admitting to Drinking and Attempting to Bribe Metro Officer
A foreign national, identified as female in circulating video footage, was stopped during a routine vehicle check point operation conducted by the Durban Metropolitan Police Service in KwaZulu-Natal.
At the roadblock, the woman admitted to having consumed alcohol. She then offered cash to a metro police officer in an apparent attempt to avoid further consequences related to the stop.
The officer immediately rejected the bribe offer and called out the attempt, following standard procedure by reporting it. A senior officer or police boss was involved in the interaction and took time to explain upcoming new laws to the woman.
According to accounts from the video and social media posts, the foreign national was not arrested and escaped a drunk driving charge. She was also not charged for the attempted bribery.
Under South African law, offering a bribe to a public official constitutes a criminal offence in terms of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act. Both offering and accepting a bribe are treated as serious offences, with officers required to document such attempts and proceed with formal charges where applicable.
No official statement from the Durban Metro Police Service has been released confirming details of the incident, including the exact date, the precise amount of cash offered, the woman’s nationality or identity, any breathalyser or blood alcohol test results, or reasons why no arrest or charges were pursued for either suspected drunk driving or bribery.
Circulating video footage of the interaction has been shared widely on social media platforms, often with disclaimers noting that the images and video are not owned by the accounts posting them and are used for educational and awareness purposes only.
The incident occurred amid broader roadblock operations in the Durban area and KwaZulu-Natal, where metro police, Road Traffic Inspectorate, and other agencies conduct enforcement actions targeting drunk driving and other traffic offences. In this specific case, the woman was allowed to proceed without arrest or charges following the rejected bribe attempt and the explanatory discussion.
No further confirmed details on any subsequent investigation, court proceedings, or official follow-up were available in public sources at the time of reporting.
Chaos Erupts in KuGompo City as Protest Against Alleged Nigerian ‘King’ Coronation Turns Violent
KuGompo City, Eastern Cape – Monday, 30 March 2026
Violence broke out in KuGompo City (formerly East London) in the Eastern Cape on Monday when a protest against the reported coronation of a Nigerian national as “Igwe Ndigbo Na East London” escalated into unrest.
The demonstration was organised by the March and March movement, along with other civic groups, traditional leaders, and political parties including ActionSA. It followed the circulation of videos and photographs on social media earlier in March 2026 showing the crowning of Chief Solomon Ogbonna Eziko as “Igwe Ndigbo” in the area.
The Eastern Cape Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) rejected the alleged inauguration, stating that it did not follow constitutional processes or local traditional protocols. The department and the provincial House of Traditional and Khoisan Leaders distanced themselves from the event, describing it as irregular and illegitimate. Traditional leaders, including those from the amaRharhabe Kingdom, also condemned the ceremony as disrespectful to established customary authority.
The protest began peacefully but brought traffic to a standstill in parts of KuGompo City. It later turned volatile, with reports of clashes between demonstrators and authorities. Protesters set vehicles alight, including panel vans, bakkies, and trucks. Eastern Cape police confirmed that 12 cars were damaged during the unrest. Other accounts indicated that at least 13 vehicles were set on fire, while some reports mentioned up to 15 vehicles burnt and a higher number damaged.
Video footage from the scene showed vehicles burning and crowds confronting police. Police deployed stun grenades and rubber bullets to disperse the demonstrators. Several buildings, some allegedly belonging to foreign nationals, were also torched or vandalised. Shops in the area reportedly closed as tensions rose.
One person was stabbed and hospitalised during the events. Confrontations involving different groups, including reports of attacks on protesters by individuals in a vehicle, were also noted.
The March and March movement, led by Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, participated in the KuGompo protest as part of its ongoing campaigns on immigration and citizen prioritisation. The group has held similar demonstrations in other provinces, including a recent large gathering in Durban.
Authorities worked to restore order in the affected areas. Protesters later regrouped at City Hall, where they were expected to submit a memorandum.
As of Monday evening, full details on the exact number of arrests, total injuries, or comprehensive damage assessments had not been released by police. Investigations into the incidents were ongoing.
The unrest occurred on the same day as separate marches in the Eastern Cape linked to Human Rights Day observances by the ANC and allies, though those events were not connected to the KuGompo protest.
This report is compiled from official statements, police confirmations, and multiple eyewitness and media accounts of the events on 30 March 2026. Further updates are expected as more information becomes available.
