A family feud between two dik dinge of the Terrible Josters gang is believed to be the reason behind the assassination of alleged gang boss Ernest “Ernie Lastig” Solomons, who was gunned down in Boksburg on Friday.
According to gang investigators, tensions between Ernie, 62, and his nephew Horatio “Voudie” Solomons, 31, led to the death of two family members, including Voudie’s daughter, and other alleged gang members who worked for them.
Ernie was killed while driving his white BMW in Boksburg, while three other people, including a child, were injured.
Police spokesperson Captain Kay Makhubele says a white Ford Ranger rammed into the BMW and two armed men started shooting at Ernie’s car.
Pictures of Ernie slumped in the driver’s seat went viral on social media later that day.
According to a source close to the case, the in-fighting between Ernie and Voudie led to a split in the gang, with new alliances being formed with various gangs linked to the 28s gang in Kreefgat and Elsies River.
Voudie and a group of his henchman were recently sentenced to life in the mang after being found guilty of murder and various other charges in the Western Cape High Court.
But investigators say what happened in the background was the cause of the deadly feud.
During the explosive trial, which was heard by Judge Owen Rogers, two former gang members turned State witness to piemp the Terrible Josters gang and fingered them for a string of high- profile gang hits.
Voudie and 11 other men appeared in the dock to face more than 70 charges which included murder, drug dealing and gun charges.
Last month six of the accused, including Voudie, were found guilty.
The investigation source tells the Daily Voice that the spat between Voudie and Ernie started during the trial as Ernie was said to be upset that he had been implicated by former gang members under Voudie’s command.
“There is a power and money struggle between Ernie and Voudie. Ernie spent millions [for the defence lawyers] for Voudie and his mense and our information says he demanded Voudie pay him back, but he refused. Ernie allegedly told him he must pay up or hand over his properties, but Voudie refused and made alliances with other 28s gangs.”
In March this year, several months after being granted bail, Voudie and his 13-year-old daughter, Zaskia, came under fire at his Durbanville home, as unknown men opened fire on him.
The young girl died of her injuries and Voudie survived.
“We heard that his own uncle wanted to take him out in that shooting, but then the child died.”
Two months later, Ernie and his son Carlo were wounded in a shooting in Hawston while their bodyguard was killed.
“It was a suspected retaliation hit for the death of Voudie’s daughter.”
The source says that just over a month ago, Ernie came under fire again but escaped and fled to Jozi.
“They shot on him in Wellington, but he was not hurt and no case was opened. But then he fled and was killed on Friday.”
Ernie, a former 28s gang boss, was once labelled a “high-flyer” by police and was linked to the illegal perlemoen trade.
He was a co-leader of The Firm, a grouping of gangs which the late Hard Livings gang leader Rashied Staggie was a part of.