'Geweld' really is violent

15 May 2015 - 02:19 By Philani Nombembe

A large police contingent, bodyguards and prison warders kept a watchful eye over Cape Town gangster George "Geweld" Thomas and his 17 co-accused as they listened to Judge Chantal Fortuin complete her judgment yesterday. But it was an anticlimax for prosecutors as the Cape Town High Court judge found Thomas guilty of only 53 of the 166 charges he faced, relating to some of the most heinous offences in the country's criminal history.Thomas, who holds the rank of inspector in the 28s prison gang, and his 17 "foot soldiers" were accused of terrorising Cape Flats communities since 2006. They faced 19 charges of murder, 27 of attempted murder and other counts including racketeering and unlawful possession of firearms. At least six witnesses were murdered during the trial, for which the gangsters were charged."The ... gang is a street-level faction of the 28s prison gang operating particularly under the leadership of George Thomas," court papers read. "The organisation is primarily purposed to attain and maintain power and notoriety ... achieved through the reign of terror by [Thomas]."Co-accused Jason Stynder was acquitted of all charges. Thomas was found guilty on seven counts of murder, two counts of racketeering and 10 counts of incitement of others to commit offences, among a litany of other charges.The other 16 were found guilty on counts ranging from murder to attempted murder and racketeering.Thomas's lawyer, Janos Mihalik, said the conviction would be appealed. He criticised the State for using the testimony of self-confessed criminals to bolster its case...

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