Junky Funky Kidz gang members sentenced to life imprisonment for murder

Junky Funky Kidz gang members sentenced to life imprisonment for murder! Three members of the Junky Funky Kidz (JFK) gang have been sentenced to life imprisonment in the Western Cape High Court for the premeditated murder of Achmat Gaffoor, a member of the rival Flakka gang.

The convicted gang members, Shakoor Gaffoor (25), Riedewan Cedras (27), and Grandall Solomons (40), were also found guilty of three counts of illegal firearm possession and one count of illegal ammunition possession.

Details of the Incident

The murder occurred on October 8, 2020, when Achmat Gaffoor, the nephew of Shakoor Gaffoor, and his friend were standing on the corner of St Blaise and St Barnard Streets in Steenberg. They were reportedly asking passersby for money to buy dagga. Both were members of the Flakka gang, operating on the Cape Flats, an area plagued by violent gang wars.

Witness testimony revealed that a grey hatchback vehicle passed by Achmat and his friend twice, raising suspicions. On its second approach, the car stopped, and three armed passengers, later identified as the accused, alighted. One of the men reportedly shouted, “Hier is julle pappas” (Here are your fathers), prompting Achmat and his friend to flee in different directions.

The gang members opened fire. Achmat’s friend managed to escape but returned later to find Achmat shot dead.

Court Proceedings and Evidence

The State, represented by Advocate Luzaan Williams, presented a compelling case against the accused. Key witnesses included Achmat’s mother and aunt, police officers, medical personnel, and an eyewitness—the friend who fled during the attack. The prosecution also introduced CCTV footage showing the incident.

The evidence established that the accused acted with premeditation and targeted members of the rival Flakka gang. Witnesses confirmed that the JFK gang operates in Hillview, Cafda, Seawinds, and Lavender Hill, areas in Steenberg. The JFK gang and the Flakka gang were engaged in a violent territorial dispute, where trespassing on rival turf often resulted in death.

Defense and Arrests

The accused pleaded not guilty and provided alibis:

• Shakoor Gaffoor claimed he was at his parents’ home in Melkbosstrand during the murder.
• Riedewan Cedras stated he was in Grabouw with his mother.
• Grandall Solomons alleged he was with his girlfriend and parents at the time.

Despite these claims, the evidence, including eyewitness accounts and CCTV footage, firmly implicated the trio.

The Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation’s National Priority Violent Crimes (NPVC) unit, in collaboration with the National Intervention Unit (NIU), arrested Shakoor Gaffoor and Riedewaan Cedras at their homes on October 9, 2020, and Grandall Solomons on October 12, 2020.

Sentencing

The Western Cape High Court sentenced each of the accused to:

• Life imprisonment for murder.
• Five years for each count of illegal firearm possession (three counts).
• Five years for illegal possession of ammunition.

The court ruled that the sentences for the firearm and ammunition charges would run concurrently with the murder sentence.

Shakoor Gaffoor, who was out on bail during the trial, was taken into custody following the conviction.

Reactions to the Verdict

The head of the Hawks in the Western Cape, Major General Mathipa Makgato, welcomed the sentencing and commended the investigative team for their diligent work.

“No stone will be left unturned until peace and order are restored in our communities,” Makgato stated, warning gang members of the Hawks’ zero-tolerance approach to violent crime.

The conviction is seen as a victory in the fight against gang-related violence on the Cape Flats, offering a glimmer of hope for residents living under the shadow of gang warfare.

The case underscores the determination of law enforcement agencies to hold perpetrators accountable and restore safety to South Africa’s most vulnerable communities.