- Two men have been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Piet Masilo.
- All three received a total of 150 years in jail for robbery and related offences.
- Victims were targeted through fake Facebook Marketplace advertisements between 2021 and 2022.
A syndicate that used fraudulent Facebook Marketplace ads to lure unsuspecting buyers into violent robberies has now been sentenced to life imprisonment and a combined 150 years behind bars, after one of their victims, SANDF member Piet Masilo, was murdered during a bogus sales meeting.
The Garankuwa Magistrate’s Court sentenced Thapelo Ngwenya, 31, and Sfiso Maseko, 34, to life for Masilo’s murder. Ntsindiso Mtunzini, 34, was given 15 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances. Ngwenya also received a total of 60 years for four counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances, while Maseko was handed 75 years for robbery and unlawful possession of a firearm.
How the ‘Sganai’ scam worked
The convictions are linked to a series of so-called “Sganai” scam incidents between 2021 and 2022. The accused were part of a syndicate that used fake Facebook Marketplace advertisements to lure unsuspecting victims under the pretence of genuine sales.
Victims were sent to specific locations, where they were confronted by armed men and robbed of vehicles, cash, bank cards, cellphones, and other valuables.
SANDF member killed during fake sale
The most tragic incident happened on 28 November 2021. Masilo went with his wife and five-year-old daughter to buy an ice-cream machine advertised on Facebook Marketplace.
When they arrived at the place given by the accused, Masilo realised he was being robbed. A struggle followed, and he was fatally wounded before the attackers fled with his belongings, leaving his wife and daughter behind.
Victims repeatedly lured into robberies
On 21 January 2022, another victim went to Winterveldt to buy a music system he saw advertised online. When he arrived, he was told a relative of the seller would collect him. Instead, he was taken to another location where three men, one with a gun, robbed him of his vehicle, cellphone, bank cards and R6,200 in cash. They also forced him to reveal his bank card PIN and withdrew another R1,500 from his account.
A month later, on 28 February 2022, another victim and his girlfriend travelled to Winterveldt to buy CDJs and a sound mixer advertised on Facebook Marketplace. After being redirected, they were robbed of their vehicle, cellphones, bank cards, a ring, R13,200 in cash and other valuables.
The syndicate struck again on 11 March 2022, using the same method with a fake music system ad. The victim was threatened with a firearm and robbed of money, cellphones, bank cards and R5,250 after being forced to reveal his PIN.
Investigation uncovered illegal firearm
The police investigation led them to Mtunzini’s home on 23 March 2022. With his consent, officers searched the house and found a 9mm pistol and one live round of ammunition that he could not legally possess.
Mtunzini was arrested, and Ngwenya and Maseko were picked up later. All three stayed in custody until the case was finalised.
State Prosecutor Rodger Mareume argued in court that these crimes showed clear disregard for human life and public safety. He said the accused preyed on innocent victims through carefully planned online scams and that Masilo’s murder, in front of his wife and daughter, showed just how damaging their actions were.
Mareume also said the accused’s actions were a gross violation of the constitutional right to life, and he urged the court to impose tough sentences to punish them and deter similar crimes, especially given how common “Sganai” scams have become.
When sentencing, the court agreed with the State and found that Ngwenya and Maseko had not shown substantial or compelling reasons for a lighter sentence. The court gave them life imprisonment for Masilo’s murder, in addition to the other sentences for robbery and related crimes.
Welcoming the verdict, North West Director of Public Prosecutions Dr Rachel Makhari praised Investigating Officer Siphiwe Tshabalala and Prosecutor Rodger Mareume for their hard work in securing the convictions and sentences.
Makhari said the sentence shows the commitment of law enforcement and the NPA to making sure that criminal networks targeting vulnerable people are brought to justice. She added that the offenders robbed innocent victims of their property and, in the most tragic case, took an innocent life out of greed.
The NPA said the successful prosecution shows its ongoing commitment to fighting violent crime, organised criminal activity, and online fraud schemes that target unsuspecting members of the public.
Get your news on the go. Click here to follow the Conviction WhatsApp channel.
