On 22 October 2025, the Gqeberha New Law Court convicted and sentenced Alphios Masangu (38), Lazarus Makhubela (38), and Dion Munyai (37) for damage to essential infrastructure, housebreaking, and theft. The trio had been in custody since their arrest in 2019.
The syndicate’s crime spree began in March and April of 2019, when they orchestrated a series of thefts and acts of vandalism across multiple provinces. The group primarily targeted cellphone towers, strategically dismantling and stealing high-capacity communication tower batteries. This caused significant disruptions to critical network operations in the Eastern Cape, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, and Western Cape.
Following an intelligence-led investigation, the Gqeberha Organised Crime Investigation unit of the Hawks tracked the syndicate’s movements and methods. The breakthrough came on 25 June 2019 at approximately 21:00, when the team, with the assistance of Riversdale SAPS, intercepted the suspects.
They stopped and searched two vehicles identified as being used in the crimes: a red Volkswagen Golf GTI and a white Ford Ranger bakkie. The Ford Ranger, which was later confirmed to have been stolen in Mayville earlier that year, was found to be carrying ten stolen cellphone tower batteries valued at approximately R200,000. Tower access keys were discovered inside the Golf GTI.
Both vehicles were seized, and five suspects were arrested at the scene.
The accused made their first court appearance on 27 June 2019 at the Riversdale Magistrate’s Court. Due to the complexity and inter-provincial nature of the case, it was transferred to the New Law Courts in Gqeberha. Of the five originally arrested, Emmanuel Thovakhale (42) passed away in 2019, and Salvadore Machuchu (40) was not positively linked to the case.
In the final ruling, the Regional Court in Gqeberha handed down the following sentences to the three remaining accused:
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Alphios Masangu: Sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment for Damage to Essential Infrastructure and 5 years for housebreaking and theft. The sentences will run concurrently.
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Lazarus Makhubela: Sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment for Damage to Essential Infrastructure and 5 years for housebreaking and theft. The sentences will run concurrently.
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Dion Munyai: Sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment for Damage to Essential Infrastructure and 5 years for housebreaking and theft. The sentences will run concurrently.
As a result, all three accused will serve an effective 20 years’ direct imprisonment.
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