LEJWELEPUTSWA – The Free State Provincial Serial Electronic Crime Investigation (SECI) Unit has secured convictions against two members of a syndicate that operated in the Lejweleputswa District for more than 10 years.

The syndicate targeted residents in Virginia, Welkom, and Odendaalsrus, committing house robberies, housebreaking, attempted murder, and rape.

Sgt Mosiuwa Ntholeng of SECI and Sgt Jack Salemane of the Bultfontein Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit led the investigation.

Their work resulted in the conviction of Richard Bongani Mazibuko, who was sentenced in 2025 for 12 charges of rape. DNA evidence processed during robbery investigations linked Mazibuko to the victims.

A second suspect, Finane Thulo (42), was traced to Butterworth Prison in the Eastern Cape, where he was in custody for separate armed robbery charges.

An identity parade and investigation into the group’s modus operandi linked Thulo to six incidents of housebreaking and robbery between 2011 and 2019.

Thulo was found guilty in the Virginia Regional Court. Working with Prosecutor Labuschagne, the team secured a sentence of 38 years’ imprisonment, of which Thulo will serve an effective 10 years.

The SAPS Provincial SECI Unit said several suspects linked to the syndicate remain at large. The unit, led by Sgt Ntholeng, is continuing the investigation.

The SAPS urged anyone with information about the remaining suspects to contact their nearest police station or use the MySAPS App.