NPA secures life sentences and 150 years for Facebook Marketplace robbery syndicate:
Three men have been sentenced for their involvement in a violent “Sganai” scam syndicate that used fake Facebook Marketplace advertisements to lure victims to predetermined locations before robbing them.
Thapelo Ngwenya (31) – life imprisonment for murder, plus 60 years for four aggravated robberies.
Sfiso Maseko (34) – life imprisonment for murder, plus 75 years for four aggravated robberies and illegal firearm possession.
Ntsindiso Mtunzini (34) -15 years for aggravated robbery.
The syndicate operated between 2021 and 2022. In the most serious incident, SANDF member Piet Masilo was fatally shot during a robbery while his wife and five-year-old daughter were present.
The group also robbed other victims of vehicles, cash, bank cards, phones and other valuables, in some cases forcing victims to provide their PINs.
A search of Mtunzini’s home uncovered a 9mm pistol and live ammunition.
The NPA said the sentences reflect the seriousness of the crimes and send a strong warning to organised criminal networks exploiting online platforms to target unsuspecting members of the public.
@NPA_Prosecutes
UPDATE | A fourth suspect was struck and survived.
It is believed he was the driver of the Polo transporting the three now-deceased suspects.
The gang was tracked shortly after a business robbery in Overport.
KZN SAPS CI MDOC was already working on information about the men, who had been planning and executing several robberies.
The operation was carried out by members of the SAPS eThekwini District Tracing Team, Metro Police Trio Crimes, Marshall Security’s SOT, and Homeland Security.
Their vehicles took heavy gunfire, with one struck directly on the front windscreen.
Fortunately, all law enforcement members are safe.
Several firearms have been recovered at the scene.
@eNCA
NEWS: A 39 year-old Zimbabwean national has been arrested in Parow in the Western Cape after the police were tipped off that he was selling drugs - KZN Tonight Podcast
📸 SAPS WC
#sapsHQ [OPERATION SHANELA II LEADS TO ARREST OF UNDOCUMENTED FOREIGN NATIONAL DURING ILLEGAL LIQUOR RAID IN NABABEEP]
As part of ongoing efforts to disrupt illegal activities and ensure compliance with the law, members of Vispol Nababeep #SAPS conducted a compliance inspection at a tuckshop in Nababeep on Tuesday, 08 September 2026 at approximately 11:00.
During the inspection, police members discovered several crates of liquor concealed in a back room on the premises.
Further investigation established that alcohol was being sold from the premises without a valid liquor licence.
Liquor with an estimated street value of R5 000-00 was confiscated by the police.
The investigation further revealed that the 35-year-old male owner of the tuckshop, who is a foreign national, was allegedly residing and operating in South Africa without the required documentation.
He was subsequently arrested and faces charges in terms of the Immigration Act 13 of 2024, as well as a charge relating to the illegal sale of liquor.
The Namakwa District Management has reiterated that compliance inspections and disruptive operations remain an integral part of #OperationShanela II, aimed at addressing illegal activities that have a negative impact on communities.
SAPS is issuing a stern warning to all persons involved in the illegal sale and distribution of liquor that such activities will not be tolerated.
Police will continue conducting intelligence-driven operations and compliance inspections throughout the district, and those found operating outside the law will be dealt with accordingly.
#FightingCrime #PoliceVisibility #CrimePrevention #PartnershipPolicing #SaferCommunities ST
https://t.co/xIHycwjdSx
General Prince Mokotedi (Former Gauteng Hawks Head):
General Lebeya & Minister Cele removed me in 2018 when I was about to arrest:
1. Tony, a Nigerian drug dealer, who took out close to R140m out of SA.
2. 32 drug dealers.
3. 8 police officers who were assisting Tony,
4. We arrested 2 Hawks officers.
After I left, none were arrested.
Lucas Legabe (49), charged with theft of cocaine worth R216-million from a police storage facility, said he suffers from asthma, sinus and hayfever.
Legabe said the country’s overpopulated prisons are not good for his health.
His lawyer is Henrik Potgieter… TCG
Kenny Kunene told reporters that he was transporting a journalist to Katiso Molefe's house because they were young and didn't have cars. Until today, no one knows the journalist's name or the media house 😭😭😭