Desai accused plead not guilty

Port Elizabeth – Two men charged with the murder of community policing forum founder Naeem Desai pleaded not guilty in the Port Elizabeth High Court yesterday.

Deswyn Kleinbooi, 22, and Eston Afrikaner, 19, who hail from Helenvale, appeared in court where they pleaded not guilty to charges which include murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances and unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.

In May 2016, Desai, from Jadeeds Bakery, was delivering bread in Helenvale when he was gunned down and left for dead in his truck in Fitchard Street.

The area of Helenvale is directly adjacent to Malabar. Desai on a daily basis travelled to Fitchard Street to conduct business in the area for his brother’s bakery.

At the time community members said that Desai had been targeted for a long time by alleged members from the Sestien honde (Sixteen dogs) gang.

Malabar Patrols is a crime prevention initiative which started in 2008 when community members noticed an alarming increase in crime in the suburb.

According to a close colleague, Desai delivered bread in Helenvale for the past 10 years because other drivers were just “too frightened” to go into the area for fear of being robbed.

He was know as “Captain” or the “Rambo of Port Elizabeth” – a pillar of strength in the community policing forum who was always willing to lend a hand.

According to the state, Desai was shot in the head, robbed of his phone, charger and cash. – ANA