By OBAKENG MAJE
Twelve people aged between 21 and 36 facing numerous charges of aiding and abetting of criminal gang activities, murder, attempted murder, possession of unlicensed firearm, insurance fraud, kidnapping, rape, assault, conspiracy to commit murder and contravention of Section 9 Act 121 of 1998 Gang related offenses briefly appeared in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court on Friday.
Chane Adams (27), Shawnwin Smith (24), Henry Blom (27), Estee Sade Lawan (24), Bincent Rosen (36), Michael Peters, Semone Rose 29), Thabo Sekopano (36), Stephanie Mc Anda (21), Britney Arends (20), Janine Plaatjie (21) and Abigail Van Wyk (23) were arrested on 4 and 5 May 2023 in a multi-disciplinary approach consisting of the Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation and Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team, Provincial Serious Organised Crime team and Crime Prevention.
The Hawks spokesperson in Northern Cape, Lieutenant Col Tebogo Thebe said, the accused persons were arrested simultaneously in Kimberley and Kuruman. Thebe further said it is alleged that, between August 2020 and March 2023, a well-known gang from Kimberley was engaged in the above-mentioned criminal activities.
“During the arrest, one of the accused was found in possession of mandrax tablets and an undisclosed amount of money, which were confiscated for further investigation. An additional case against the accused was registered for dealing in drugs.
“They appeared alongside with the main accused, Goerge Barnett Peters and accomplices Deon May, Shawnwin Smith, Shakireeh Pike, Nico Hofuza, Pameston Mentoor and Tshepo Talimbi. The case was postponed to 31 May 2023 for possible bail application. The accused persons will remain in custody,” he said.
The Guardian 