A mob justice case involving gangsters, and made memorable with the torching of a Botshabelo house with four persons inside in 2021, ended with the Free State High Court sentencing 11 members of the notorious Maroma (Roman) gang.
The court threw the book at the accused on Thursday, 3 October, when handing down multiple life sentences for the ruthless murder of the four persons and malicious damage to property.
Those sentenced are: Sello Lebusa (25), Phumzile Msebenzi (26), Thabang Motsetse (24), Pule Venkile (24), Moitlaledi Mbobo (19), Vuyo Chake (22), Vuyisile Modupe (19), Lehlohonolo Sekitlane (28), Mxolisi Gadrick (18), Oscar Mokake (18) and Tshegofatso Chaoane (23).
Lebusa, Msebenzi, Motsetse, Venkile, Chake and Chaoane were each sentenced to two life terms for two murders, plus an additional 29 years for other crimes.
Mbobo received 60 years’ imprisonment for three murders and 29 years for other crimes; Modupe was given 75 years’ imprisonment for three murders and 44 years for other crimes; Sekitlane received three life terms plus 52 years for other crimes; Gadrick received 40 years’ imprisonment for two murders and an additional 29 years for other crimes; while Mokake received 20 years’ imprisonment for one murder and 28 years for other crimes. The other crimes relate to arson, for torching the house.
Their sentencing was the culmination of probing by the Botshabelo police and testimony given by about 31 witnesses. The gang members were convicted on charges of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (Poca).
Sgt Mahlomola Kareli, provincial police spokesperson, said the sentencing of the accused pertained to the gruesome murder of Thabang Thipe (19), Tshepo Shomaele (20), Mahlomola Nkone (24), and Puseletso Morobi (25). He said the deceased were attacked at a house in M Section on 10 March in 2021, at about 01:00.
Kareli said the house was torched and surrounded by Maroma members, who ensured that no one could escape.
“A burning tyre was thrown in the house to accelerate the inferno. The victims pleaded with the accused to let them out, but the victims were told to burn and die. Thipe, who forced his way out, was stabbed and died at the scene.
“Shomaele managed to withstand the hot temperature and got out later. He suffered 45% burn wounds to his body and was hospitalised – he died nine days later. Morobi and Nkone also forced their way out and were viciously attacked, but survived this incident with stab and burn wounds. The police managed to arrest some gang members involved,” he said.
Kareli said around 18 to 20 June 2021, members of the Maroma gang went out searching for rival Born to Kill (BTK) members at their residential places. In the event of the hunt, Morobi, who had survived the stabbing and fire in the first incident on 10 March, was cornered and stabbed to death.
“More cases such as arson, malicious damage to property, and murder were opened for investigation. The attack by the Maroma-affiliated gang members was aimed at alleged BTK members.
“Unfortunately, we cannot confirm if the four deceased were members of the BTK. All accused were declared unfit to possess a firearm and were slapped with a further five years’ imprisonment each on the Poca,” said Kareli.
