Man Jailed 5 Years For Creating And Sharing Fake Explicit Images Of Ramaphosa And Bheki Cele

The Pietermaritzburg Regional Court has sentenced Scebi Thabiso Nene to five years of direct imprisonment for creating and distributing manipulated pornographic images with the faces of high-profile figures, including President Cyril Ramaphosa and former Police Minister Bheki Cele.

Nene pleaded guilty to cyber forgery, cyber uttering, and the disclosure of intimate image data. Between September 2022 and May 2023, he downloaded images of Ramaphosa, Cele, and former National Police Commissioner Khehla Sitole, then digitally altered them to appear in explicit scenarios.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Western Cape Teacher Jailed For Raping Pupil In Classroom During School Hours

“This created a false impression that the images were the authentic images of the complainants,” said National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara. “Nene then disseminated these manipulated images.”

A Descent Sparked by Paranoia and Frustration

In court, Nene detailed a backstory rooted in paranoia. He said the trouble began while working at Coca-Cola between 2018 and 2019, during which he believed he was being followed. After reporting his suspicions to several police stations, he claimed his concerns were dismissed.

Nene told the court he escalated the issue to the Hawks and the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) but received no help. Frustrated and feeling ignored, he attempted to contact Cele’s office without success.

It was following these events, he claimed, that he decided to superimpose explicit images with the faces of the officials. “That was when he downloaded the images of the complainants and the images of a sexual nature and superimposed the two, making it seem that it was the complainants in those graphic images,” Ramkisson-Kara confirmed.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Suspected Fraudster Shot Dead After Trying To Disarm Officer At Limpopo Mine

Court Delivers Stern Message on Digital Misconduct

The court sentenced Nene to five years for cyber forgery, with additional sentences of three years each for cyber uttering and disclosing intimate image data. The court ordered the sentences to run concurrently, amounting to an effective five-year prison term.

Nene expressed remorse for his actions, telling the court he regrets what he did and promises not to repeat the offense.

The NPA has warned the public to use digital tools responsibly. “The National Prosecuting Authority views offences of this nature in a serious light. We advise members of the public to use technology with caution and due regard for the consequences,” said Ramkisson-Kara.

---

For Crime SA News Follow SurgeZirc SA on Facebook,  X and Instagram