POLICE DISMANTLE DANGEROUS SYNDICATE TERRORIZING LEJWELEPUTSWA

By: Staff Reporter

The Free State Provincial Serial Electronic Crime Investigation (SECI) Unit has made significant strides in dismantling a dangerous syndicate responsible for a wave of terror across the Lejweleputswa District.

​For over a decade, the syndicate targeted residents in Virginia, Welkom, and Odendaalsrus, committing a series of violent offenses including house robberies, housebreaking, attempted murder, and rape.

​The breakthrough in these cold cases is attributed to the meticulous work of Sergeant Mosiuwa Ntholeng (SECI) and Sergeant Jack Salemane of the Bultfontein Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit.

Their collaborative efforts led to the successful conviction of the syndicate's alleged mastermind, Richard Bongani Mazibuko, who was sentenced in 2025 for 12 charges of rape.

The suspect was positively linked to the victims via DNA evidence processed during the investigation into various robberies.

​Further investigation identified a second suspect, 42-year-old Finane Thulo. Investigators traced Thulo to Butterworth Prison in the Eastern Cape, where he was already in custody for separate armed robbery charges.

​Through an identity parade and persistent investigation into the group’s Modus Operandi, Thulo was linked to six incidents of housebreaking and robbery occurring between 2011 and 2019.

​Appearing in the Virginia Regional Court, Thulo was found guilty.

Working alongside Prosecutor Labuschagne, the team secured a sentence where Thulo will serve an effective 10 years of a 38-year total imprisonment term.

While these convictions mark a major victory for justice in the Free State, the SAPS Provincial SECI Unit emphasizes that the work is not yet complete.

A team led by Sergeant Ntholeng, is still pursuing several suspects linked to this syndicate who remain at large.

​The SAPS remains committed to ensuring that all members of this criminal network are brought to book.

The public is urged to come forward with information regarding the remaining suspects to contact their nearest police station, call #CrimeStop on 08600 10111 or use the #MySAPSApp.