Four men were sentenced to life imprisonment on Thursday December 7 for the murder of 43-year-old Simon Johnson who was killed in Heideveld on October 30 last year.
According to Manenberg police spokesman Captain Ian Bennett, gang leaders Kaylem Bartlet, 20, Rushdien Meyer, 21, Amien Jaffer, 27 and Garren Paulse, 39, were sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder, which took place during a shooting in Jonkershoek Road, between two rival gangs.
The four men were also handed a three-year sentence under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act, 10 years for attempted murder, 15 years for possession of firearms and three years for the possession of ammunition. The sentences will run concurrently.
On the same day, gang members Gideon Graham, 20, Duwayne Kennedy, 21, and Faizel Solomans 26, were sentenced to seven years imprisonment for attacking an Emergency Medical Service (EMS) vehicle in June this year and robbing EMS personnel of their valuables.
The EMS was called out to Carol Court in Manenberg to attend to a patient who had suffered a heart attack. They managed to stabilise the patient and as they proceeded to the vehicle, they were approached by five suspects, one who produced a firearm, while the others physically searched the female EMS member and took her belongings.
After investigation, the men were all charged and appeared in court. Three men opted to plead guilty and their 12-year sentences were reduced to seven years direct imprisonment. The other two men did not plead and the case will be going to trial.
They will be reappearing in the Wynberg Regional Court on Tuesday December 12.
