On 2 August 2013 the accused, 27 year old Jason Du Plessis, went with a shotgun and fired into a crowd of people, injuring five. This occurred in Arendse Street, Roodewal in Worcester. One of the injured victims had his leg amputated due to the extent of his injury.
On 24 August 2013, the accused got himself into another fight with opposition gangs in an open field next to Wentzel Street in Roodewal. When the police came to the scene, the accused shot at two police members but no one was injured.
He was then arrested on those two cases but he was released because the witnesses in the first case did not want to testify, due to gang violence in Worcester. Only two witnesses out of the five came to testify but others refused because of threats and assaults on them by the suspect.
The investigating officer managed to place the cases back on the roll and the suspect was arrested once again after which he had spent almost four years behind bars before he was sentenced.
On Thursday 10 May 2018, the Magistrate found the accused guilty at the Regional Court and sentenced him to 30 years imprisonment, as follows:
• Count 2: the accused received 7 years direct imprisonment for attempted murder; and
• Count 3: the accused received 7 years direct imprisonment for attempted murder.
Counts 2 and 3 are running concurrently.
• Count 4: the accused received 8 years direct imprisonment for the contravention of the Firearms Control Act 60;
• Count 5: the accused received 7 years direct imprisonment for attempted murder; and
• Count 6: the accused received 8 years direct imprisonment for the contravention of Firearms Control Act 60.
The accused was also declared unfit to possess a firearm in terms of the Firearms Control Act.
The Western Cape Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General KE Jula has welcomed the sentence imposed on the accused and strongly believes that it will serve as a deterrent to other criminals. Further, the investigating officer was also congratulated for his sterling work in ensuring that the accused in this case got what he truly deserved.
AVIAN PARK ATTEMPTED MURDER SUSPECT ARRESTED
On Friday night 11 May 2018, Worcester Police arrested a 29 year old suspect who has been in hiding after he was sought in connection with the shooting in Avian Park during midweek. He was also found with dagga (cannabis) during his arrest.
The arrest follows a gang shooting at the corner of Kuiken and Vink Streets in Avian Park on Wednesday 9 May 2018 at about 18:40. It is reported that a 13 year old girl was shot in the right leg while on her way back from the shop and a 16 year old male youth was shot in the cheek.
Both victims were taken to Worcester Hospital for emergency medical treatment.
The suspect is expected to appear in the Worcester Magistrates’ Court as soon as he is charged with attempted murder and possession of drugs (dagga).
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