Mpumalanga Anti-Gang Operation Secures Nine Life Sentences for Convicted Killers

In a landmark conviction for the South African Police Service (SAPS), the Mpumalanga Division of the High Court in Mbombela has pronounced a historic judgement that signals a tough stance against gang-related violence in the region. The SAPS's relentless efforts through the Provincial Anti-Gang Unit to clamp down on gang activity has yielded results with the sentencing of Sikhumbuzo Shaun Mpangane and Bonginkosi Shakoane.

The duo has been meted out a combined sentence of life imprisonment and extensive jail terms, culminating in a total of nine life sentences and an additional 60 years behind bars, following the conclusion of a series of murder investigations that revealed a chilling trail of violence and bloodshed. The sentences were handed down on Friday, 12 July 2024, marking a significant victory for law enforcement and justice.

Mpangane, 36, a notorious figure and founder of a gang known as COVID-19, previously associated with Ellesse Gang, and his accomplice Shakoane, 24, embarked on a murderous rampage through Bushbuckridge Municipality. Their campaign of terror, which included the cold-blooded killing of six people, arose from gang rivalries and targeted attacks that have plagued the community.

The first of these killings occurred shortly after Mpangane's release from prison on parole where he had been incarcerated for possession of an unlicensed firearm. He wasted no time in asserting his dreadful presence, murdering a rival gang member just two days post-release on 26 December 2020. One victim miraculously survived the initial attack, only to later suffer the loss of four family members, including two teenage girls, in a subsequent assassination carried out by the convicts on 16 June 2021.

A relentless pursuit by the Provincial Anti-Gang Unit led to Mpangane's arrest on 20 June 2021, while Shakoane's apprehension followed on 11 February 2022. Their trial unearthed a grotesque pattern of violence, with the court hearing of further murders and the arson of a victim's home.

The detailed charges reflect the severity of their crimes with Mpangane receiving five life sentences for murder, among other sentences, and Shakoane four life sentences. In total, their convictions cover murders, attempted murders, kidnappings, assault, possession of unlicensed firearms, housebreaking, and arson.

Apart from the prison terms, both men have been declared unfit to possess firearms, a measure that reinforces the message that the justice system will not tolerate such heinous acts. Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi, praised the unit's professional investigation, attributing the successful prosecution to their meticulous and dedicated efforts in the case.

This conviction comes as a stern warning to criminal elements within the province and resonates as a testament to the efficacy of specialized units within the SAPS when tackling organized crime.