The Cape Town High Court sentenced 4 members of the ‘Ama Don’t Care’ gang from Uitsig close to Ravensmead for his or her involvement in three 2019 murders and aiding and abetting a gang’s legal and unlawful actions.
THREE MURDERS IN 2019
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson within the Western Cape, Eric Ntabazalila, stated the incidents that led to Thursday’s sentencing began on 25 March 2019.
On that day, Dawnay Davids, 20, Mahlubandile Jacobs, 25, and different gang members tried to extort Christopher Cornelius.
“After he refused, they indicated he would be killed. The next morning, 26 March 2019, Cornelius was standing next to his bakkie while his four-year-old granddaughter, Likiesha Joubert, was playing with other children around the vehicle outside their Geranium Street home,” stated the NPA spokesperson.
Dawnay Davids – who was 16 on the time – and Jacobs walked previous Cornelius and tried to extort him once more. He refused, and the pair left, however they returned firing later.
The sufferer was struck a number of occasions and was wounded within the head and stomach. He died on the scene. The four-year-old toddler additionally sustained a gunshot wound and died on her technique to the hospital. Davids and Jacobs fled the scene and swapped garments with different gang members to cover their involvement within the taking pictures.
The third and closing homicide sufferer on this matter was killed as a result of she witnessed the taking pictures.
“Glenda Ruiters’ sin was witnessing Cornelius and Joubert’s taking pictures whereas she stood exterior her home, reverse and going through Geranium Street.
“She told her family members that she feared for her life, as one of the shooters ran past her after the shooting,” stated Ntabazailia.
Eleven days later, on 7 April 2019, Ruiters was shot and killed at point-blank vary. The Ama Don’t Care gang chief, Vincent Davids, 31, walked to her door and killed her when she opened up. Moegamat Swartz, 24, accompanied him.
Swartz tried to shoot Ruiters’ daughter, Nikita, as she knelt to assist her mom. He missed.
‘AMA DON’T CARE’ GANG KNOWS NO BOUNDS
“The Western Cape is below siege, there is no such thing as a higher technique to describe it. Communities are being held captive by individuals just like the accused.
“Considering the extremely high prevalence of these crimes within the Western Cape and the outcry of society for protection from these types of crimes and the victimisation caused by criminal gangs, there can be no alternative than the long-term imprisonment of all four of the accused,” argued State Advocate Scholzel throughout sentencing.
The State stated the Ama Don’t Care gang marketed their violence to “ensure compliance” from the group and discourage individuals from giving proof in opposition to them. The gang’s flagrance is described as having no bounds.
“Society demands that wanton criminal acts as displayed by the accused should not be left unpunished. It demands of the courts to send out a clear and strong message that such acts of criminality will not be countenanced and further demands that the strictest and severest punishment should be meted out to individuals such as the accused,” stated Scholzel.
Judge Henney concurred and stated the case as soon as once more confirmed the scourge of gang exercise within the province, particularly on the Cape Flats.
GANG LEADER GETS LIFE SENTENCE
Dawnay Davids was sentenced for the premeditated homicide of Cornelius, the homicide of his four-year-old granddaughter, Likiesha, illegally possessing a firearm and illegally possessing ammunition. He obtained 20 years direct imprisonment for every homicide, a further seven years for aiding and abetting the actions of a legal gang and 5 years for the unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
“Handing down the sentence, Judge Robert Henney, emphasised that the accused was 16 years old when he committed the brutal cowardly crimes and that provisions of the Child Justice Act 75 of 2008, would be applicable,” stated Ntabazalila.
Therefore, Dawnay Davids will spend an efficient 20 years in jail.
Jacobs obtained life sentences for all three homicide costs within the case, 10 years for aiding the gang and 22 years for unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
Swarts obtained 25 years direct imprisonment for the homicide of Ruiters, 10 years direct imprisonment for the tried homicide of her daughter and eight years direct imprisonment for unlawful possession.
“The court ordered the sentences to run concurrently, meaning the accused will serve an effective 25 years of direct imprisonment,” stated Ntabazalila.
The gang chief, Vincent Davids, obtained a life sentence for Ruiters’ homicide, 10 years direct imprisonment for the gang exercise and 12 years direct imprisonment for unlawful possession.
The Director of Public Prosecutions within the Western Cape, Advocate Nicolette Bell, applauded the investigation and prosecution crew for his or her tireless work to make sure justice for the victims.
After sentencing, household members of the victims embraced Advocate Schozel, exhibiting their appreciation for the result. They posed for images on the steps of the excessive courtroom.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES BY STORM SIMPSON
READ:
