Justice for Valentino Grootetjie: Gangsters sentenced for the murder of a 5-year-old in Lavender Hill
Image: Supplied
Two Fast Gun gangsters have been convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of 5-year-old Valentino Grootetjie from Lavender Hill, who was murdered in 2019 while protecting his little brother from their bullets.
The Western Cape High Court on June 5 convicted Carlo Hoffmeester and Chadwin Isaacs of Valentino's murder and the attempted murder of a 22-year-old man and seven others.
The little boy was killed as he rushed to shield his 2-year-old brother, pushing him aside, to protect him from the hail of bullets.
The State proved the two gunmen entered the premises in Drury Court, Lavender Hill, on December 21, 2019, and opened fire, leading to the death of Valentino and wounding the man.
The duo were found guilty under the Prevention Against Organised Crime Act (Poca), murder, eight counts of attempted murder, unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.
They were sentenced to life imprisonment on the murder count, 90 years for the attempted murders, five years on the Poca count, five years for the illegal possession of a firearm and three years for the illegal possession of ammunition.
The sentences will run concurrently with the murder count.
Anelisiwe Manyana, spokesperson for the police, said the State had proven their case beyond a reasonable doubt.
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'Initial reports revealed that on December 21, 2019, two unknown suspects boldly entered a premises in Drury Court, Lavender Hill, and opened fire which led to the death of a 5-year-old and serious injury to a 22-year-old man,' said Manyana.
'The investigation of the murder and attempted murder case was taken over by the Anti-Gang Unit detectives who worked tirelessly to apprehend the people behind the shooting.
"On December 23, 2019, their hard work was rewarded as they arrested two suspects aged 30 and 34 who made their first appearance in the Wynberg Magistrate's Court where bail was successfully opposed. The case was then transferred to the Western Cape Town High court for trial.'
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Eric Ntabazalila, said State Advocate Leon Snyman proved the accused were members of the Fast Guns gang who were engaged in drug turf wars with the Mongrels Gang in Lavender Hill and surrounding areas.
In her sentencing judgment, Judge Melanie Holderness agreed with the State that the accused did not show remorse, failed to take the court into their confidence, and downplayed the seriousness of the offences as they appeared bored during the trial.
"There were no substantial and compelling circumstances which allowed the court to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment," Ntabazalila said.
Western Cape Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Nicolette Bell, lamented the loss of an innocent life of a child due to the scourge of gangsterism. Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel.
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