Residents in Bishop Lavis are relieved that notorious gang leader, George ‘Geweld’ Thomas was handed seven life sentences this week, in one of South Africa’s biggest gang trials that spanned years. The local Community Police Forum chairperson Graham Lindhorst says incidents involving gang related violence has slightly decreased as the court’s conviction sent a fierce warning to gangsters in the area. However, Lindhorst told VOC News that “foot soldiers” are still making attempts to lay down their authority in the community.

“The atmosphere in the community is a lot less tense then before, when we had the gangs running havoc in the area. The conviction of the gangsters is a good thing in the fight against gangsterism and crime within our areas. It sends a message to the others that you will not get away with what you are doing. Justice has been served, especially for those families who lost a loved ones at the hands of the notorious gangsters,” Lindhorst said.

Thomas faced 52 charges, including seven murders, three attempted murders, racketeering, the unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, housebreaking with intent to rob and robbery with aggravating circumstances, and several gang-related charges under the Prevention of Organised Crimes Act (Poca). His sixteen co-accused were handed sentences ranging from 12 to 25 years. The men all faced charges under Poca for participating in an illegal gang operation.

Lindhorst believes that the young runners are still carrying out orders in the area by imprisoned gangsters and as a result, still threaten the attempts to restore peace in the community. “We still appeal to police to remain vigilant in the area as sporadic flare ups of gang related shootings still occur. We also call for an increase in police patrols because surrounding areas such as Bontheuwel and Valhalla Park are still plagued by vicious gang related crimes that affect our next generation,” he said.

“Due to the social fibre in our community; a lack of recreational parks and positive influences, our children fall prey to the promises of gangsters. This is a cycle which we need immediate intervention for in order to see it end,” Lindhorst continued.

The CPF believes other law enforcement agencies need to put in a collective effort in the fight against the scourge of gangsterism in the area.

“In the time when Geweld was active, there were many killings, very strategically done by the gangsters. You would never see it happen, you’d just hear that there is another person dead. Also many people would go missing. It was hectic back then. You had families who died because they turned state witnesses against the said gangsters. It was a traumatic time for our residents. We are just glad that a strong message has been sent out to the others.” VOC (Ra’eesah Isaacs)