Apleni matriculated and soon achieved a diploma in paralegal studies. He joined the EFF after its founding and was appointed the party's provincial secretary in the Eastern Cape in 2015. In August 2016, Apleni was elected as one of the EFF's proportional representation councillors in Buffalo City. The first few months of Apleni's councillor term were marked by the ejection of the EFF caucus from council over a dress code dispute.
