🚨 Bolo TV News Network • May 12, 2026
JUSTICE SERVED: Six Men Handed Double Life Sentences for "Barbaric" Petrol Execution in Tzaneen
BY AFRIKABELO NEWS | #TZANEEN #MOBJUSTICE #POLOKWANEHIGHCOURT #LIMPOPO #JUSTICE
TZANEEN – In a landmark ruling against vigilantism, the Polokwane High Court has sentenced six men from the Greater Tzaneen Municipality to two life imprisonment terms each for the gruesome murder of two community members in 2023.
The convicts—Maswabi Godfrey Senyolo (46), Thabiso Senyolo (39), Elmon Shai (32), Mmoye Freddy Senyolo (42), Isiah Melanzi (40), and Tjatji William Gafane (43)—were found guilty of the kidnapping and brutal execution of Tantane Paulus Mangena and Tshepo Conrates Malatjie.
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A Morning of Unthinkable Terror
The court heard a harrowing account of the events that took place on 23 August 2023. The victims were dragged from their homes in the early hours of the morning and taken to the All-Star sports ground, where they were accused of stealing a television set.
To evade police detection, the mob transported the men to Mokgoloboto Mountain. There, the assault reached a level of depravity that shocked the courtroom: the victims were beaten with firewood and stones, forced to drink petrol, doused in the fuel, and set alight. Their remains were burnt beyond recognition.
"Rule of Law, Not Vigilantism"
Presiding Judge Kganyago did not mince words, describing the killings as "barbaric and inhuman." He emphasized that no matter the accusation, South Africa is governed by the rule of law and not the whims of violent mobs.
Advocate Lerato Mohlaka noted in aggravation of sentence that the accused showed zero remorse for their actions. In addition to the life sentences, the men received five years for kidnapping and were declared unfit to possess firearms.
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