2 acquitted, 2 convicted of killing

TWO gang members were acquitted and two others found guilty of the murder of a fellow gang member in the Western Cape High Court.

Activist Roegchanda Pascoe who testified in the murder case against the four alleged Clever Kids gangsters, said the conviction of two members was a victory, and urged people to speak out and give evidence in court.

Judge Thandazwa Ndita on Monday found Zihaad Lewis and Monray Fagan not guilty on the murder charge.

But alleged gang members Mogamad Hendricks and Naiem Benjamin were convicted of the brutal murder of alleged Hard Livings gang member Angelo Davids in Manenberg on July 20, 2016.

Davids was attacked in full view of the community in Pecos Walk, Manenberg. He was repeatedly kicked, beaten and a concrete block thrown on his head. But only Pascoe, who witnessed part of the attack, had the guts to testify against the accused. Pascoe could not attend the judgment following threats by gangsters that led to her being removed from the area.

In her ruling, the judge said Pascoe’s testimony about Lewis’s involvement was contradictory and unreliable.

Although a video proved Fagan was at the scene, the State failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that he was involved in the murder, she said.

Pascoe said: “It is all good and well when you testify, but then he State is done with you unless the threats give it a reason to act. The authorities should look at the protection of State witnesses.” Sentencing is due on Monday.