KING WILLIAM’S TOWN – Relentless efforts made by our members and investigators in arresting gang affiliates and securing convictions in the Northern areas has yielded yet another successful conviction.

On Monday, 12 June 2017 at about 15:30, Ralph Vorster (35) was driving his taxi when he picked up two passengers in Barberry Drive. The one passenger was known to Vorster. As Vorster was driving in Barberry Drive in Ext 31, the 15-year-old teenager (age at the time of the offence) produced a firearm. The conductor was ordered out of the vehicle. Vorster was shot several times while seated in the taxi. Two weeks later, the 15-year-old suspect was arrested by the Visible Gang Intervention Team in Lingilihle Street in Bethelsdorp. He remained in custody until the finalisation of the case.

The teenager is also awaiting trial for another murder and attempted murder which allegedly took place in Foxglove Street in Ext 31 on 24 January 2017. He was on the run since the alleged commission of the crime. He is charged and will again appear in court on 14 July 2019.

The juvenile was sentenced yesterday in the Port Elizabeth Regional court for the murder of Vorster. His sentencing is as follows : Count 1- murder � 12 years imprisonment; Count 2- Robbery � 6 years; Count 3- illegal possession of firearm and Count 4- illegal possession of ammunition � 5 years, Counts 2,3,4 and 5 will run concurrent with the murder sentence. Effectively he will serve 12 years in prison.

Mount Road Cluster Commander, Maj Gen Thembisile Patekile commended the investigating officer, D/Sgt Xolani Peta and added that, as a society we need to nurture our children in the right direction.’ Maj Gen Patekile called on parents and the communities to help the youth steer on the right path. The youth is our future and we cannot allow them to wander off on the path of destruction added Maj Gen Patekile.

Source: South African Police Service