In a packed courtroom at the Newcastle Courts, former Dundee captain Roshanlal Banawo was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment on Tuesday, 14 May 2025, for orchestrating a conspiracy to murder Major General Frances Slambert, head of Umzinyathi District SAPS. The verdict, delivered by Magistrate Ian Colditz, exposes a profound internal threat within the South African Police Service (SAPS) and underscores the perilous environment confronting law enforcement officers in KwaZulu-Natal.
The 63-year-old Banawo, a former police captain dismissed from the SAPS around 2019, was apprehended on 26 November 2023 in Dundee, KwaZulu-Natal, after authorities uncovered a plot to assassinate the Major General.
At the time of Banawo’s arrest, police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda stated that Banawo, then 61 years old, had allegedly enlisted two hitmen when Major General Slambert’s efforts to eradicate criminal activity in her district appeared to threaten the suspect’s illicit drug operations. The Provincial Organised Crime Unit conducted a meticulous investigation, securing a warrant from the Newcastle Regional Court, which led to Banawo’s arrest at his Dundee residence. During the operation, police confiscated Banawo’s licensed .270 hunting rifle for further examination and discovered he possessed police and court date stamps.
Banawo, who has been contesting his dismissal, has remained in custody in Vryheid since his arrest. The conspiracy involved two accomplices, William Dlamini and Sthembiso Mdlalose, who initially participated but later turned state witnesses. Under Section 204 of South Africa’s Criminal Procedure Act, Dlamini and Mdlalose were granted immunity from prosecution in exchange for their truthful testimony against Banawo, resulting in their discharge from prosecution. Major General Frances Slambert, the intended target, survived at least two assassination attempts between May and August 2023. These incidents, linked to the conspiracy, highlight the acute dangers faced by senior officers in the region.
Looking at the court proceedings, Magistrate Ian Colditz presided over the trial, finding compelling evidence that Banawo orchestrated the conspiracy.
Colditz noted Banawo’s “obsession” with Slambert, though the precise motive for the plot remained elusive. The court commended the testimony of the investigating officer, describing him as an “excellent witness,” and rejected defence claims that Engelbrecht and Slambert had fabricated the conspiracy.
Adding to this, KZN National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson, Natasha Ramkissoon-Kara, added that between May and August 2023, Banawo approached a middleman and requested him to secure a hitman to kill Slambert. “They then secured the assistance of the hitman who travelled to Dundee to kill Slambert. However, their plans did not materialise in these instances. The provincial task team received information about the plot to kill Slambert and investigated further. These investigations led them to the middleman and the hitman. Cell phone records obtained by the task team confirmed communication between the middleman and Banawo. Banawo was arrested thereafter.”
Furthermore, in the state’s case, Ramkissoon-Kara highlighted that Advocate Adriaan (Attie) Truter led the evidence of the hitman and the middleman who testified about the conspiracy. Cellphone data analysis and documentary evidence, such as protection orders between the parties, also formed part of the state’s case.
Moreover, Truter emphasised the unprecedented nature of the case, marking it as one of the first known conspiracies to target a SAPS general in KwaZulu-Natal. Truter contextualised the case, noting that 42 SAPS officers had been killed in the line of duty in the province since Banawo’s arrest in 2023.
He argued that Slambert’s elimination would have created a “huge void” in the region’s police leadership.
Furthermore, the defence sought a wholly suspended sentence, citing Banawo’s age and the fact that Slambert was not physically harmed. Colditz dismissed this plea, stressing the gravity of the offence. Consequently, Banawo was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment and declared unfit to possess a firearm.
The trial attracted considerable attention, with high-ranking SAPS officials in attendance, including Major General Frances Slambert, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, and Amajuba SAPS head Major General Fred Alexander, alongside other officers and supporters.
Their presence underscored the case’s significance to the police community and its implications for internal security. Banawo’s dismissal from the SAPS in 2019 and his ongoing appeal suggest underlying tensions that may have fuelled the conspiracy.
The successful prosecution of Banawo reflects the SAPS’s commitment to accountability, yet it also highlights the pressing need for enhanced internal oversight to prevent similar threats.
The sentencing of Roshanlal Banawo to 10 years’ imprisonment for conspiring to murder Major General Frances Slambert delivers a powerful rebuke to internal corruption and betrayal within the SAPS. As KwaZulu-Natal confronts relentless violence against its officers, this landmark ruling galvanises the call for fortified security protocols, ethical leadership, and a steadfast commitment to bolstering the integrity of the SAPS’ ranks. By setting a formidable precedent, this case not only champions justice but also demands robust safeguards to protect those who dedicate their lives to upholding the law.
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