Family not coping in wake of gangster’s conviction
THEmother of the girlfriend of one of the co-accused in the George “Geweld” Thomas trial broke down in the Western Cape High Court yesterday.
Wendy Eksteen detailed how the family was struggling since the arrest of Derrick Claasen. “Things are really not going well. Since he was arrested, there has been a lot of pressure,” said Eksteen, who was testifying in mitigation of sentence for Claasen.
Sentencing procedures continued in one of the country’s biggest gang trials, where the alleged 28s gang leader, Thomas, and 16 others were convicted last week on more than 100 charges including murder, attempted murder, illegal possession of firearms and racketeering.
The trial, which began in 2011, saw Thomas and his co-accused, including Claasen, tried under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act.
Eksteen cried as she read a letter from one of Claasen’s three children, his 11-year-old daughter. She spoke of their emotional distress and taunts by other children at school.
“I want to grow up with him and my brother is only eight years old,” read the letter. A third child, 13, from Claasen’s previous relationship, lives in Bredasdorp in order to keep out of trouble.
Eksteen testified that before his arrest in 2008, whenever he had had the opportunity, Claasen visited his asthmatic mother and gave her money. The family, according to Eksteen, were financially dependent on Claasen and struggled to cope. – ANA