Gang conviction – Specialist Units can enable even more victories

Statement by Dan Plato, Western Cape Minister of Community Safety

I welcome the conviction of 18 gangsters in the Western Cape High Court today and congratulate those involved in ensuring that their reign of terror in our communities has come to an end.

George “Geweld” Thomas were found guilty of 53 charges which include seven murder charges, three attempted murder charges, 10 incitement of others to commit offences charges, 11 charges of unlawful possession of firearms and two racketeering charges. The 17 co-accused were all found guilty of various charges, most of them include murder.

The conviction of “Geweld” and his co-accused gangsters should be used as a model case of how to ensure that more convictions follow and that the gangsters responsible are removed from our streets.

Today’s successes are the result of a collaborative and specialised approach which, if institutionalised in the form of specialist gang and drug units, can result in even more successful convictions.

I have been calling for the reintroduction of the Specialised Gang and Drug units since 2011 as these units possess the necessary resources and expertise to investigate thoroughly and make concrete arrests which lead to convictions in court. We need the Specialised Gang and Drug Units which can deliver conviction ready court cases for our communities to be rid of the criminals responsible.

Today’s victory is a step in the right direction in creating safer environments where people work, live and move about in the province. There is a long road ahead but by working Better Together towards safety, as society as a whole, we are able to rid our streets of those who choose to act in defiance of the law.