Three members of a criminal syndicate that used Facebook Marketplace to lure victims into armed robberies in South Africa have been sentenced to a combined 150 years in prison.
The sentences were handed down by a court in Ga-Rankuwa following the conclusion of a case linked to five robbery and carjacking incidents reported between November 2021 and March 2022.
The men were convicted of offences including murder, kidnapping, robbery and possession of unlicensed firearms.
According to Gauteng police, the syndicate advertised items such as ice-cream machines, DJ sound systems and vehicles on Facebook Marketplace at attractive prices to draw potential buyers.
After victims showed interest, they were allegedly directed to meet the supposed sellers at predetermined locations in Winterveld.
Police said members of the gang had different roles, including creating advertisements and communicating with victims before arranging the meetings.
One of the cases involved a man who responded to an advertisement for an ice-cream machine in November 2021.
The man travelled to Winterveld with his wife after communicating with the suspects. On arrival, a young boy allegedly led him to a secluded location where armed members of the gang confronted him.
Police said the victim was ordered out of his vehicle and was shot three times in the stomach during the confrontation.
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He died while being taken to hospital.
The Gauteng Provincial Organised Crime Unit subsequently investigated the cases and arrested four suspects during an operation in Winterveld on March 12, 2022.
They were identified as Sifiso Maseko, 31; Thapelo Ngwenya, 33; Kabelo Joseph Ngwenya, 33; and Ntsindiso Alfred Mtunzini, 34.
Police said five victims later came forward and helped link the suspects to the different cases.
Maseko was sentenced to life imprisonment plus 60 years in prison after being convicted of murder, kidnapping, aggravated robbery and possession of an unlicensed firearm.
Thapelo Ngwenya was sentenced to life imprisonment plus 75 years in prison after being convicted of murder, kidnapping, robbery and possession of an unlicensed firearm.
Mtunzini was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
Kabelo Ngwenya was found not guilty and released after spending more than four years in custody.
Acting Gauteng Commissioner Major General Fred Kekana welcomed the sentences and said the case showed the importance of detailed investigations and cooperation between detectives and prosecutors.
He also warned criminals against using online platforms to target unsuspecting members of the public.
South African police urged people using Facebook Marketplace to verify sellers before meeting them and to conduct transactions in safe, public places.
The authorities have repeatedly warned about criminals using online marketplaces to arrange meetings with victims before carrying out robberies and vehicle hijackings.
About the Author
Cecilia Attah is a tech analyst with a degree from Benue State University. She covers tech news and startups at TechRegard with a focus on how technology is transforming Africa and shaping the global landscape.
