Central SA
Botshabelo gangsters get hefty sentences─── ZENANDE MPAME 10:59 Mon, 20 Jan 2025
Residents of Botshabelo can sleep safer at night after the high court sentenced twelve members of Botshabelo’s Born to Kill (BTK) gang to lengthy jail terms.
The severity of their crimes and the effect thereof on the community are reflected in their penalties, which start from 12 years to life in prison, said the Free State NPA spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane. The gang members were sentenced on Friday (17/1).
They faced charges including multiple counts of housebreaking with the intent to rob, and robbery with aggravating circumstances, murder, attempted murder, arson, malicious damage to property, rape, and violations of the Prevention of Organised Crime, Act 121 of 1998.
“The NPA welcomes the sentences handed down to the Born to Kill gang members from Botshabelo near Bloemfontein,” said Senokoatsane. “The NPA remains committed to apprehending, prosecuting, and securing maximum sentences for those who perpetrate such heinous crimes.”
The convicted gang members are:
• Patrick Matsemela (21) was sentenced to twelve years direct imprisonment.
• Peneas Tseuoa (21) was sentenced to life imprisonment plus 81 years.
• Karabo Sepeane (22) was sentenced to life imprisonment plus 51 years.
• Siyabonga Masango (22) was sentenced to 20 years direct imprisonment.
• Tshokolo Mosooenyane (25) was sentenced to life imprisonment plus 81 years.
• Retshepile Thole (23) was sentenced to life imprisonment plus 33 years.
• Mpho Makhele (25) was sentenced to 21 years direct imprisonment.
• Bulelani Dyantyi (24) was sentenced to life imprisonment plus 91 years.
• Teboho Memane (22) was sentenced to 21 years direct imprisonment.
• Tlotlisang Maquba (22) was sentenced to life imprisonment plus 66 years.
• Lenka Thejane (35) was sentenced to 22 years direct imprisonment.
• Goodwill Mokwena (28) was sentenced to 20 years direct imprisonment.
‘In 2019, six other BTK members were sentenced to 145 years’
The charges emanate from an argument between BTK members and the Roma gang in Botshabelo on 16 November 2020, which turned the neighbourhood into a dangerous area, according to the NPA.
The gangs armed with pangas, knives, and stones, attacked residents, looted homes, and destroyed property.
OFM News reported in March 2019 that six other BTK members were sentenced to 145 years in prison collectively by the Bloemfontein magistrate’s court.
The suspects were convicted on charges of murder, rape, attempted murder, assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and robbery, after forcing their way into a house of a young couple in 2017 in the Bergman neighbourhood.
