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. Their activities were fully documented with numerous statements and affidavits, and were also the subject of the
TRC finding.

At the time it proved virtually impossible to secure any police action, let alone prosecutions, against the amaSinyoras.  The prosecution and conviction of Shange in 1991 for the murder of Themba Gumede and the attempted murder of three others (one of them- Themba's mother - was shot while pleading for her life) was an exception. After killing Gumede, Shange had, together with a large group of other KwaZulu police members, attacked those at the funeral vigil, leading to some of the attempted murder charges.

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.

In response to outrage from human rights groupings and the official parliamentary opposition party (Democratic Party) Vlok gave various reasons for his release, linking it to the release of political prisoners, and a computer error. Lawyers for Human Rights described the release as "feeble, inadequate and extremely confused". (New African Thursday June 4 to Wednesday June 10 1992)

Commenting on Shange's release on parole, the Judge who had sentenced him, and had refused him leave to appeal, was quoted as expressing despair over the release, and querying whether those responsible had read his judgement.

In 1992 the mother of murder victim Richard Gumede launched an Application in the (then) Supreme Court to have Shange sent back to prison.  It seems that her request was not granted because it was not long before he was again making headlines for alleged criminal activity.

Following his release on parole, supposedly on strict conditions, Shange was employed by the IFP in an administrative capacity, his work including projects co-ordinator for the IFP Youth Brigade, and representing the party on the Newcastle Local Dispute Resolution Committee (LDRC), the structure engaged in peace negotiations between political role players.  Amidst complaints about his unsuitability for the job, by Cosatu representatives, the IFP's regional organiser was quoted as saying that they had no better man to serve on the peace committee and that at the negotiations then taking place at the World Trade Centre "there are people who have worse records than Shange" (Sunday Nation January 9 1994). In January 1994, Shange was arrested, and appeared in the Newcastle court, charged with assault, damage to property, and impersonating a policeman.

He appears to have absconded for, in February 1998, he was arrested in Mandeni, having reportedly been on the run since 1996 when he was wanted for the murder of Mandeni town councillor Andrew Biyela. He was finally arrested in the Mandeni area in February 1998, having been found working in a local factory, under a false name. There was speculation about whether he was part of a plan to destabilise the area during the 1999 local government elections.

He was to appear in the Mthunzini court but, from the details of his application for pardon, it seems that he was finally convicted, in 2001, of the 1993 crime for which he had been charged, and given bail, in the Newcastle magistrate's court.

The original KwaMashu conviction was in respect of one murder and three attempted murder cases.  However, according to the TRC (which reported before the finalisation of the Newcastle case

'From statements made to the Commission KZP Constable Khethani Shange was found to be the perpetrator of at least six gross human rights violations, including two killings. All are related to incidents that occurred during 1990' (Volume 3, p255)

The report goes on to refer to the Judgement following the Gumede killing, his release after serving only nine months of his prison sentence and his re-arrest in 1998. It also refers to the comprehensive findings it made against the KwaZulu Police.*

The views of the family of Richard Gumede about Shange are clear from press reports at the time of his release by then Minister Vlok.  They were living in fear of their lives, and were planning to move away from KwaMashu. Not only was Richard Gumede killed in cold blood, and family members attacked at his funeral vigil, but the KZP had interfered with the funeral, and blocked the way to the graveyard. The grandfather of the deceased, Mr Phineas Ngobese, said it was only the arrival of soldiers which had saved them. He could not believe that Shange had been released early, and described the law as 'twisted' (Sunday Tribune 10 May 1992)

Given the history painted by press reports and the TRC, the law will be very twisted indeed if it allows the release of Khethani Richard Shange.