Police in the province have welcomed the hefty sentences handed down to four people who were convicted of gang-related activity on the Cape Flats.
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The accused were sentenced in the Western Cape High Court on Thursday amid continued efforts to deal with the scourge of gang violence.
According to SAPS provincial; spokesperson, Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi, members of the “Ama don’t care” gang arrived at a residence in Geranium Street in Ravensmead in March 2019, with the intention of extorting the resident.”
“They returned the next day for more protection money and the resident resisted their actions.”
“Later in the day unknown males returned to the house, firing gunshots at the victim, fatally wounding Christopher Cornelius and his four-year-old grandchild Likeshia Joubert.”
“On 7 April 2019, the only witness Glenda Ruiters was gunned down in Erica Road by unknown men while her daughter escaped injuries when the gang members shot at her in a bid to kill her with her mother.”
Swartbooi said that the investigating officer was committed to bring the perpetrators of justice to book.
“He pursued every bit of information and subsequently arrested and detained four suspects on charges of murder and possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition.”
“He successfully opposed bail for the suspects and they were remanded in custody for the full duration of the trial.”
“The IO faced a massive onslaught from the defence lawyers in a bid to derail him.”
“The detective however kept his focus on the judge, calmly stating the facts as he was at the crime scenes and was in the best position to paint a credible picture.”
The accused were convictedin October and sentencing was remanded to Thursday.
Accused, Dawnay Davids, Mahlubandile Jacobs, Moegamat Swarts and Vincent Davids, were each handed between 20 years and life imprisonments for the murders and attempted murders as well as several other charges relating to the illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
“The Western Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile, lauded the investigating officer for the sterling investigation with the aim of proving the State’s case beyond reasonable doubt,” Swartbooi added. “He reiterated that criminals can run but they cannot hide in this province. Committed investigating officers will ensure that they answer in a court of law.”
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