A self-confessed skollie from Parkwood has spilled the beans on how gangs smokkel knives into courts by hiding the weapons under their clothing or inside their takkies to flous security guards.
State witness Fawaaz Cornelius, 22, took the stand at the Western Cape High Court to testify against a rival gang member accused of murdering his friend Chad Petersen.
Nearly three years after the deadly brawl in the Wynberg Magistrates’ Court which saw officials flee for their lives, Christopher Hukura, 24, has gone on trial where he faces charges of murder, attempted murder and charges under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA).
He stands accused of murdering Chad, 21, during a violent clash between the Americans and Six Bobs gang on 24 July 2019 at the court.
The fight, which went viral on social media, showed Petersen bleeding to death on a courtroom bankie.
Standing in the witness box wearing a red Nike tracksuit and blue slippers, Cornelius told the court that he and Chad arrived at Wynberg court along with other members of the Americans gang to support a friend who was appearing in court.
He says a skollie named “Baker” from the Six Bobs approached him and started to sabela [speak prison language], before hitting him on his chest and telling him that he is going to die.
Video footage of the altercation was shown in the court as Cornelius gave a detailed account of the stabbing.
He explained that while Baker and his gang were making threats, Chad had jumped over a railing to escape as knives were drawn.
Hukura is seen running after Chad and shortly after the stabbing, he runs towards another member of the Americans and stabs him in the hallway.
Cornelius was cornered by the state prosecutor after he admitted he too was carrying a knife that day and she questioned how he got the knife into the court building.
“I was searched by male security guards but I was wearing two pants so I put it in the pocket of the pants I had on underneath,” he explained.
He further told the judge that he was not bang of metal detectors at the entrances, saying they often hid knives in their takkies to avoid detection.
The case continues.
monique.duval@inl.co.za