{
  "id": 4124830,
  "title": "Acting magistrate representing alleged hitman sentenced for repeated failure to appear in court",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/29/acting-magistrate-representing-alleged-hitman-sentenced-for-repeated",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-29T06:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IOL",
    "slug": "iol",
    "url": "https://iol.co.za/news/south-africa/2026-08-29-acting-magistrate-representing-alleged-hitman-sentenced-for-repeated-failure-to-appear-in-court/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "KwaZulu-Natal attorney Sithembiso Nkatha, who also serves as an acting magistrate, has been sentenced to 12 months in prison, or a R10,000 fine, for contempt of court. Durban High Court found Nkatha guilty of repeatedly failing to attend proceedings and comply with court orders while representing alleged hitman Sbonelo Wiseman Shangase. Judge Jacqueline Henriques strongly rejected Nkatha's explanations for his repeated non-compliance, noting that he showed no remorse and continued to deny the contempt finding during sentencing. Nkatha's conduct demonstrated a failure to accept responsibility, according to the judgment. The high-profile murder trial of Shangase and Thalente Mkhize, facing 28 charges including 15 counts of murder, was delayed by more than a year due to Nkatha's actions. The court ordered the original contempt and sentencing judgments to be sent to disciplinary bodies for potential further action.",
  "summary": "Attorney and acting magistrate Sithembiso Nkatha has been sentenced for contempt of court after the Durban High Court found he repeatedly ignored directives and missed hearings.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}