Snl24 | Most feared gang bosses get life in prison

Two Mpumalanga gang leaders were sentenced to life.

THE Mbombela High Court has imposed five life terms and an additional 50 years on two notorious gang leaders from Mpumalanga for a spate of crimes in Marite.

Sikhumbuzo Mpangane (36) and Bonginkosi Shakoane (24) received their sentences on Friday, 12 July.

Convicted on 28 June, the duo faced charges including murder, attempted murder, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, kidnapping, arson, housebreaking, and possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

The crimes occurred between 2020 and 2021. Despite pleading not guilty and maintaining their innocence, the court detailed their violent spree.

On 26 December 2020, Mpangane fatally attacked a tavern owner. On 16 June 2021, the pair targeted Johan Ndlovu’s family home.

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On 16 June 2021 the pair went to Johan Ndlovu’s family home, a former gang member and found his family members, they demanded that they tell them where he was as he was in hiding.

Believing Johan, a former gang member, was hiding, they murdered his parents and siblings—Eckson, Martha, Permission, and Lovenaisha Ndlovu—and subsequently burned down the house with the bodies inside.

They also ambushed Caswell Maphanga, setting his house on fire.

They told the court through their lawyers during mitigation that they are not going to show any remorse because they are innocent.

During mitigation, Shakoane’s lawyer, Ernest Mculu, stated, “My instructions are that the accused is still standing by his words that they are innocent and intends to take this matter further. He is not remorseful because he believes he is innocent.”

Similarly, Mpangane’s lawyer, Brian Maphanga, emphasized his client’s continued claim of innocence, urging the court to adhere to the minimum prescribed sentence.

State Advocate Zwelethu Mata argued for their removal from the community, citing their “witch hunt” and significant influence in Marite.

“There is no doubt that they are the most feared in the area of Marite. Every space they entered turned into a warzone. They are very young but the offences they committed are far above any form of description,” he said.

Acting Judge Denise Greyling-Coetze expressed regret over the severe sentences but deemed them necessary given the gravity of their crimes.

Mpangane received five life terms for murder and 47 years for other offences, while Shakoane got four life terms and an additional 23 years.

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