Excellent investigative and team work between the Provincial Gang Investigation Unit and the prosecuting authority has once again resulted in life sentences for two accused gang members in the Port Elizabeth High court today, 12 July 2017.
On 19 September 2016 at about 16:30, Rushay Cross (approx. 21 years old) and a 21-year-old person were shot at by the two accused. Cross was shot multiple times and succumbed to his injuries on the scene, while the 21-year-old person was shot in his leg. Cross and the surviving victim were walking in Highfield Road when Dewi Walton (27) and Trenton Ambraal (33) shot at them.
Within two hours after the shooting, the Provincial Gang Investigation Unit arrested both accused at a drug post in Highfield Road Shauderville. They remained in custody until the finalisation of the case.On 12 July 2017 both accused were sentenced to life imprisonment for murder, 8 years for attempted murder, 15 years for possession of unlicensed firearm and 18 months for possession of ammunition. All other sentences will run concurrently with the life sentence.
This is the fourth conviction of gang affiliates secured by the Unit in three days.
On 10 July 2017 gang affiliate, Denzil Hall (25) was convicted for attempted murder (10 years), possession of firearm and possession of ammunition (5 years). Sentences to run concurrently. Effectively the accused will serve 10 years in prison. The incident took place in August 2016 in Glendenning Road in Shauderville.
On 11 July 2017, another gang member, Sherwyn Leander (25) was convicted for possession of firearm (7 Years) and possession of ammunition (2 years). The sentences to run concurrently. Effectively the accused will serve 7 years imprisonment. The incident took place in November 2016 when the accused was arrested in Anita Drive in Gelvandale.
Also sentenced today, Ricardo Patterson (37) was sentenced to 3 years imprisonment, suspended for 5 years, for possession of firearm and ammunition. In April 2016, Patterson was arrested by police in Leith Street after they spotted him discarding a firearm into the yard.
The sentences were welcomed by the Cluster Commander for Mount Road Cluster, Major General Funeka Siganga who commended the investigating officers in all of these cases including the prosecuting authority. “These sentences were as a result of an inter-grated approach by the different units within the criminal justice system. It is with pride that we see our members work extremely hard to remove criminals from our streets and to ensure safety of our citizens. The sentences imposed brings justice to the victims and their families,” added Major General Siganga.
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