Five ”Fancy Boys” gangsters who formed part of a housebreaking syndicate that targeted wealthy homes were on Tuesday jailed by the Cape High Court for terms ranging from six to 20 years.
They had been convicted on charges including the management of a racketeering enterprise, racketeering itself, armed robberies and criminal membership of a gang.
A sixth man, who was, in fact, not a gangster, but received stolen goods from the others, was jailed for nine years. Two others, also not gangsters, received suspended jail sentences on charges of the illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
The eight appeared before Judge Anton Veldhuizen and assessors Dick Peckham and Chris Cilliers, who on Wednesday will hear applications from the eight for leave to appeal their convictions and sentences.
Before the court was Shamiel Eyssen, who received a total of 20 years’ jail for managing a racketeering enterprise, racketeering, three armed robberies and criminal membership of a gang.
With him was Munier Effendi, who was jailed for 15 years for racketeering, three armed robberies and criminal membership of a gang. A third accomplice was Shahied Khan, who received 12 years for one armed robbery and criminal membership of a gang. Clive Adams received 10 years for one robbery, the illegal possession of a firearm and membership of a gang.
With the four was Moegamat Abrahams, who was jailed for six years for one armed robbery and membership of a gang. A sixth man, Marwaan Alexander, who received stolen property from the others, and was also in illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition, was jailed for nine years.
The remaining two, Reduwaan Doubts and Gerhard Riley, were both given suspended jail sentences. Doubts received a suspended six-month sentence, for the illegal possession of a firearm, and Riley received four years, also suspended, for the illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.
The judge did not explain why Doubts only got a suspended six-month sentence while Riley got four years suspended. — Sapa