Former police detective, Captain Roshanel Banawo, has been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment after being found guilty of conspiring to assassinate Umzinyathi District Commissioner Major General Francis Slambert.

The Newcastle Regional Court confirmed on 14 May 2025 that Banawo had conspired to kill Slambert, not only once but on three separate occasions. The court referred to the motive as both personal grievances and professional disagreements with the commissioner’s work ethic.

The former South African Police Service (SAPS) Captain served for 39 years before he was released as a cop. This comes after drugs were found in his house in 2021, and it was also discovered that he had a criminal cartel in operation.

The court reportedly heard details of a “chilling case” involving at least two alleged attempts on Slambert’s life. Between May and August 2023, Slambert survived two assassination attempts while serving as district commissioner in Dundee.

The court also heard that Slambert is a dedicated worker who always refused to be captured by Banawo, and that is why the former police officer ordered two men to kill her.