Court remands two accused pending formal bail application
PROTESTERS gathered outside Wynberg Magistrate’s Court demanding that bail be refused to the two alleged Americans gang members appearing for the murder of 10-year-old Jayden Smith. Jayden was killed when he was allegedly caught in the crossfire of a gang battle between two rival gangs, the Americans and the Junky Funky Kids, in Parkwood last month.
Geviro Petersen, 24, and Enrico Harrison, 19, appeared in court yesterday on two charges of attempted murder and one charge of murder.
The court ruled that the two suspected gang members reappear on February 18 for a formal bail application. They were remanded.
Parkwood’s ward councillor, Melanie Arendse, said an alleged gang leader also appeared in court yesterday on a charge of drug possession.
She said the crowd outside the court were looking for justice and also wanted to send a strong message to suspected gangsters that the community would not tolerate gang violence any longer.
The upsurge of gang violence on the Cape Flats has claimed the lives of several people in Delft, Hanover Park, Lavender Hill and Parkwood since the start of the year.
Over the weekend, Stacy Granger, 12, was shot dead in Bishop Lavis while her friend, a 15-year-old boy, was shot six times and was rushed to a local hospital. He survived the shooting.
Arendse said: “We will protest and come up against any gang leader. It does not matter if it’s on charges of drug possession, ammunition or murder we will stand united against them. The little kids on the street selling drugs, these are the kids that we still want to save from the situation.”
Jayden’s aunt, France Boltman, said she was relieved that the judge did not grant the accused bail because it meant “they would not be roaming the streets and putting other lives in danger”.
“Jayden was a very playful child. He teased us a lot and he was very determined. If he wanted to do something, he would. He loved playing soccer. He loved drama and communication with people. We miss him.”