The Free State High Court, sitting in Harrismith, has sentenced a member of the 7 Ya Power Gang, Bongani Mahlangu, to 71 years’ imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to eleven charges, including murder.
Thabo Mofutsanana Policespokesperson Sergent Sinah Mpakane said the remaining accused are expected to appear in court on 29 April 2025 for trial.
This follows an incident on Saturday, 28 October 2023, at approximately 02:45, when a group of 7 Ya Power Gang members went to a house in Masaleng Village, Qwaqwa. There, they found Sabata Rapuleng in a shack behind an RDP house and brutally murdered him.
A witness in the RDP house testified that the victim pleaded with the suspects, telling them he was not the person they were looking for. Despite his pleas, they proceeded to kill him.
The group then moved to a second house in the same village. They broke into the home, assaulted the female victim, threatened her with a knife and stole various items before fleeing.
They continued their crime spree at a third house in Masaleng, threatening residents. They stabbed the victim’s dog to death and broke into the house. While the victim fought back outside, others inside damaged his property. It is reported that one suspect attempted to rape the victim’s wife, but another suspect stopped him. The attackers fled, leaving the victim seriously injured.
The Provincial Anti-Gang Unit, Visible Policing (Vispol), and Detectives already in the Thabo Mofutsanyana area on unrelated matters were alerted and responded to the scene.
After investigation, they arrested Kabelo Edward Mokoena (20), Kananelo Victor Tumise (17),
Sello Isaac Makara (30), Tsilo Ishmael Tshabalala (20), Bongani Mahlangu (19), Teboho Mosala (23), Thapelo Baagman (21), Nelson Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi (20), Thabiso Mokhatle (17) and Fusi Moses Mofu (28) who are all part of the 7YaPower Gang.
On 23 April 2025, the cases were scheduled for pre-trial at the Bloemfontein High Court. Bongani Mahlangu, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment for murder, eight years on three counts for the contravention of Section 18(2) of the Riotous Assemblies Act 17 of 1956, five years on three counts of Malicious Damage to Property, 15 years for Housebreaking with Intent to Rob and Robbery with Aggravating Circumstances, two years for theft, a year for Contravention of Section 2(1)(a) of the Animal Protection Act 71 of 1962 and 20 years for the contravention of Section 9(1)(a) of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act 121 of 1998. In total it adds up to 71 years’ imprisonment, which will run concurrently with the murder sentence.
The case was investigated by Sergeant Rampina, and the prosecutor, Advocate Thabo September, ensured justice was served and the Masaleng community in Qwaqwa is protected from these criminals.