Three men linked to a Facebook Marketplace robbery syndicate have been sentenced to a combined 150 years in prison after a series of violent crimes targeting online buyers.
According to MyBroadband, the case stemmed from five incidents reported at Loate Police Station between November 2021 and March 2022.
Police said the group used attractive online listings to lure victims to locations in Winterveld, where they were then robbed.
Fake listings used to lure buyers
The syndicate allegedly advertised items including ice-cream machines, DJ sound systems and vehicles on Facebook Marketplace.
Once interested buyers made contact, they were given meeting points in Winterveld.
In one case on 28 November 2021, a man travelled to the area with his wife after responding to an advert for an ice-cream machine.
Police said a young boy collected the victim and led him to a secluded area, where armed suspects confronted him.
The man was shot three times in the stomach after attempting to defend himself and later died while being taken to hospital.
Police operation led to arrests
The Gauteng Provincial Organised Crime Unit investigated the cases and carried out an operation in Winterveld on 12 March 2022.
Four suspects were arrested: Sifiso Maseko, Thapelo Ngwenya, Kabelo Joseph Ngwenya and Ntsindiso Alfred Mtunzini.
Police said three of the accused were identified by victims during an identification parade, while five victims linked their cases to the group.
The accused remained in custody from March 2022.
Court hands down heavy sentences
Judgment was delivered on 8 September 2026.
Maseko was sentenced to life imprisonment plus 60 years for charges including murder, kidnapping, aggravated robbery and possession of an unlicensed firearm.
Thapelo Ngwenya received life imprisonment plus 75 years, while Mtunzini was sentenced to 15 years’ direct imprisonment.
Kabelo Ngwenya was found not guilty and released.
Acting Gauteng Commissioner Major General Fred Kekana welcomed the sentences and said the outcome should serve as a warning to criminals using online platforms to target the public.
Police have urged buyers to verify sellers and arrange transactions in safe, public places instead of isolated locations.