Fast Guns gangsters sentenced to life for killing five-year-old Valentino Grootetjie in crossfire
Members of the Fast Guns Carlo Hofmeester, and Chadwin Isaacs were sentenced to life imprisonment.
Image: Supplied
Two members of the Fast Guns gang have been sentenced to life imprisonment for the 2019 murder of five-year-old Valentino Grootetjie.
The little boy was murdered in Lavender Hill on December 21, 2019.
On Tuesday, Carlo Hofmeester, 34, and Chadwin Isaacs, 30, were sentenced in the Western Cape High Court.
They were awaiting trial prisoners for five years.
The duo was convicted on charges of murder, contravention of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (Poca), nine counts of attempted murder, two counts of illegal possession of firearms, and two counts of illegal possession of ammunition.
State Advocate Leon Snyman managed to prove to the court that the duo were members of the Fast Guns gang who were engaged in a drug turf war with the Mongrels gang in Lavender Hill and surrounding areas at the time.
Valentino Grootetjie, 5, was shot in the head as he shielded his younger brother from bullets.
Image: Supplied
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On December 21, 2019, members of the Mongrels gang gathered in Drury Court in Lavender Hill at a known 'pela post' (a drug den) where users congregate, smoke, and socialise. This is Mongrel territory. The target of the shooting was a member of the Mongrels gang who was on the premises.
At number 37 Drury Court, five-year-old Valentino Grootetjie was playing in the yard when gunshots rang out. The young boy was shot in the head while shielding his two-year-old brother from the gunfire of two gangsters. He died just metres from the kitchen door.
This was after the gunmen tried to kill an alleged drug dealer who was in the yard at the time, speaking to a woman who had been visiting the family.
The court heard that when one of the victims whom the duo attempted to murder saw Hofmeester running towards him as he came from the shop, he suspected he was up to no good. When he reached the gate of the young boy's home, he warned the people inside. But, as he attempted to close the gate, Hofmeester grabbed him, and he managed to pull himself loose and run away.
Valentino's family with the investigating officer, Sergent Maphukata and State Prosecutor Advocate Leon Snyman outside the Western Cape High Court.
Image: Supplied
The witness stated he saw Hofmeester open the gate, look around, and start firing shots in the yard. Isaacs also ran towards the yard, opened the gate, and fired shots. Both shooters ran away after. Two women, also attempted murder victims identified as seen Hofmeester shooting in the yard. They swore at him and he fired a shot at them. They retreated.
The intended target of the Mongrels gang was also one of the attempted murder victims. The State handed in ballistic evidence collected at the scene that showed the court the two firearms used during the shooting.
In the six-week trial, Advocate Snyman called eight witnesses, including Valentino's parents, a previous investigator, the current investigator, a gun expert, and a ballistics expert.
A trial within a trial was held where the accused unsuccessfully challenged the admissibility of their warning statements.
Valentino Grootetjie killed in Lavender Hill
Image: file
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Murderers of five-year-old Valentino Grootetjie sentenced to life in prison
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Carlo Hofmeester, 34, and Chadwin Isaac (30) have been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of 5-year-old Valentino Grootetjie. 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. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading '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. Cape Argus
