LIFE FOR CHILD KILLERS

THERE was finally justice for murdered five-year-old Valentino Grootetjie yesterday after his killers were sentenced to life innie mang.

Fast Guns gang duo Carlo Hofmeester and Chadwin Isaacs were each slapped with life imprisonment at the Western Cape High Court following their conviction on 5 June.

Valentino was gunned down on 21 December 2019 as Fast Guns and Mongrels skollies opened fire on each other in Drury Court, Lavender Hill.

According to his aunt, Chrystal Joseph, little Tino had saved his baby brother by pushing him out of the way before he was struck by a gang bullet in the head.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Eric Ntabazalila, said: “State advocate Leon Snyman proved that 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.

“On 21 December 2019, members of the Mongrels Gang gathered at 37 Drury Court, Lavender Hill, a ‘pela pos’ where people congregate to smoke and socialise.

“It is in the territory of the Mongrel Gang. Stevens and Barnes were at 36 Drury Court, Lavender Hill. The deceased stayed with his parents and was playing in the yard when a bullet struck his head.”

He added: “They were sentenced to five years direct imprisonment for contravention of Section 9(2)(a) read with sections 1, 10, and 11 of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act 121 of 1998, life imprisonment for Grootetjie’s murder, 10 years direct imprisonment for each of the nine counts of attempted murder (90 years direct imprisonment), five years direct imprisonment for illegal possession of firearms and three years direct imprisonment for illegal possession of ammunition. The court ordered sentences to run concurrently.”

In her judgment, Judge Melanie Holderness said that the accused did not show remorse, failed to engage with the court, downplayed the seriousness of the offences and appeared bored during the trial.