Landmark Conviction: Gang Members Sentenced to 705 Years in Prison

1 min read
landmark conviction gang members

Three members of a notorious gang that terrorized people in three areas of South Africa have recently been found guilty and given a total of 705 years in jail. The three criminals, Calvin Congo Mabunda, Sibusiso Shamase Mkhwanazi, and Bhova Sticks Nkuna, were given their sentences by the South Gauteng High Court. They were found guilty on 19 charges, including murder, robbery, assault, attempted murder, possession of guns, ammo, and kidnapping.

The gang’s crime spree occurred in the Mopani district in Limpopo province between 2017 and 2018. The gang members followed their victims home after observing them withdraw cash from the bank. They often targeted pensioners, and once the victims left the bank, they were followed by other members of the gang, who then broke down their front doors and robbed them of their cash and other valuables.

Newsletter

Stay Informed • Cape Town

Get breaking news, events, and local stories delivered to your inbox daily. All the news that matters in under 5 minutes.

Join 10,000+ readers
No spam, unsubscribe anytime

Police Work and Investigation

After the gang went on a violent crime run in Giyani, the police set up a special task force to catch them. After robbing a Superspar worker at gunpoint on January 6, 2018, the gang members were finally caught that day. During the robbery, a shot was fired, which saw the attention of nearby police officers on watch. They gave chase and caught Mkhwanazi and Mabunda at Homu 14 village. The next day, a blue car also involved in the robbery was found. After a shootout in which a bullet hit a police van, Bhova was caught.

The trial started in August 2019 and was based on work done by detectives from the South African Police Service (SAPS) and different banks. The South Gauteng High Court was where all the cases from the three provinces were brought together. On Tuesday, the suspects were given their punishments.

Aiden Abrahams is a Cape Town-based journalist who chronicles the city’s shifting political landscape for the Weekend Argus and Daily Maverick. Whether tracking parliamentary debates or tracing the legacy of District Six through his family’s own displacement, he roots every story in the voices that braid the Peninsula’s many cultures. Off deadline you’ll find him pacing the Sea Point promenade, debating Kaapse klopse rhythms with anyone who’ll listen.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

Previous Story

PRASA’s Legal Woes

Next Story

Easter Fun for Kids in Cape Town

Latest from Blog

Dawn, Dirt and Dinner: A Willowvale Kitchen Without Walls

In Willowvale, farmers cleverly plant in manurefilled pits to save water and feed the soil. They also build special ditches to catch rainwater, making sure not a single drop goes to waste. Cooking happens outdoors, over crackling fires, using fresh food grown right there. They even turn old things into new cooking tools. It’s all about living close to the earth and making every bit count, showing a deep love for nature.

Cape Town Quietly Rewrites the Rules Between Tradition and the State

Cape Town is cleverly changing how it supports traditional initiation camps. They now treat these camps like temporary city areas, providing water, toilets, and trash pickup. This helps keep everyone safe and healthy, using smart data to track everything. It’s a quiet revolution, making sure old traditions fit smoothly into modern city life, and other cities are starting to notice this clever plan.

South Africa Plays Hardball on Hoof-and-Mouth: A Five-Year Blitz to Reopen R7 Billion in Beef Trade

South Africa is launching a massive fiveyear plan to crush FootandMouth Disease for good. They’re upgrading labs, getting tons of vaccines, and working with villages to tag and track every animal. This tough new strategy, backed by big money, aims to reopen a R7 billion beef trade with countries like China and the EU. They’re using strict rules, new tech, and even special meetings with local leaders to make sure no sick animal slips through. It’s a fullon war to protect their cattle and bring back their valuable beef exports!

South Africa’s Gateways in November 2025: 3,1 Million Footprints in 30 Days

In November 2025, South Africa saw a massive 3.1 million people cross its borders. This huge number of visitors, especially 2.37 million noncitizens, made it the busiest November for foreign entries since before COVID hit in 2019. It was like a river of people flowing in, showing how popular South Africa had become again.