Veteran journalist, violence monitor and analyst, Mary de Haas, was part of a team that compiled an article in 2010 on an incident involving Shange.
De Haas is of the opinion that Shange should never have been granted parole, following a murder conviction in 2010.
“Oh my …! How did that happen? Parole should have never been allowed for such a person. I mean, I remember the judge calling him ‘The beast in policeman’s clothes.’ That should show you how dreadful a person he was. Those crimes he was convicted for in 2010 were horrendous. There were so many people doing bad things at that time, but his name always stood out.”
The 2010 article by de Haas and her colleagues, stated the following, “Shange was a member of the KwaZulu Police (KZP), working in violence-torn KwaMashu.
He was linked, together with other members of the police at the local station, to the reign of terror carried out by the notorious amaSinyoras, a gang targeting UDF in late 1980s and ANC from 1990 supporters, especially in K Section.
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Their activities were fully documented with numerous statements and affidavits, and were also the subject of the TRC finding. In 1992, Shange was granted a highly controversial amnesty after he had served only nine months of a 27 year prison sentence.”
De Haas further described Shange as a psychopath.
“He always seemed unstable. Why is he now roaming freely with an unlicensed firearm? He always stood out for all the violence that he perpetuated in the 90’s.”
De Haas’s feelings were mirrored by the people quoted in her report.
“According to press reports at the time, the trial Judge Gordon, in sentencing him, described him as an ‘arrogant liar’ and a ‘a beast in policeman’s clothes’, who enjoyed his popularity as a killer. The Judge also opined that he believed that there was ‘little hope’ of his being rehabilitated. In passing judgement, he also had some harsh words for the local KwaZulu Police, saying that he believed that some had attempted to cover up for Shange and their atrocious record keeping.”
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