Mpumalanga police attached to the Provincial Anti-Gang Unit has successfully investigated multiple murder cases that resulted in the sentencing of 36-year-old Sikhumbuzo Shaun Mpangane and 24-year-old Bonginkosi Shakoane to the combined nine life sentences and 60 years’ imprisonment handed down by the Mpumalanga Division of High Court in Mbombela yesterday Friday 12 July 2024.
The two convicts murdered six victims in the Bushbuckridge Municipality area in Mpumalanga. The victims cannot be named to protect their families.
Mpangane, a defected member of Ellesse Gang, formed his gang known as COVID-19.
He recruited Shakoane and other members to the group. Mpangane shot and killed his first victim, a rival Gang member, two days after he was released from prison on parole on 26 December 2020. During his release, he was convicted for possession of an unlicensed firearm. When the first victim was murdered, one of the victims managed to escape during the attack.
On 16 June 2021, the two convicts shot and killed four family members who were asleep in Madras, Bushbuckridge. The victims were parents of the victim who survived an attack on 26 December 2020 and two teenage girls. It was heard in court that the escape victim was also from a rival gang and has also been arrested and is currently serving a life term imprisonment for murder.
They further killed their last victim and set a house alight in Bushbuckridge.
Mpangane was arrested on 20 June 2021, and Shakoane was later arrested on 11 February 2022.
Mpangane was sentenced to five life terms imprisonment for five counts of murder, 20 years’ imprisonment for two counts of attempted murder, seven years’ imprisonment for possession of unlicensed firearm, five years’ imprisonment for kidnapping, five years’ imprisonment for house breaking with intend to commit murder and five years’ imprisonment for assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm.
Shakoane was sentenced to four life terms imprisonment for four counts of murder, 10 years’ imprisonment for attempted murder, five years’ imprisonment for kidnapping, and three years’ imprisonment for assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm.
Both convicts were declared unfit to possess firearms.
The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi, has commended the investigation team for the professional investigation that led to the successful prosecution.
Mpumalanga gang members sentenced to a combined nine life terms and 60 years' imprisonment https://t.co/rk61tJAaXQ#ArriveAlive #GangMembers #Imprisonment @SAPoliceService pic.twitter.com/d3LAYhmmhU
– Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) July 13, 2024