Assassin gets 40 years
|Published
BID: Bellville Magistrates' Court BID: Bellville Magistrates' Court
A Cape Flats assassin has been sentenced to life in the mang for his role in the murder of underworld boss Brian Wainstein.
Fabian Cupido, 42, was sentenced to 40 years for the murder of Wainstein, 45, who was known as the “Steroid King” and who had made it to Interpol’s most wanted list several years ago, after he allegedly smuggled steroids worth R76 million into South Africa.
On 18 August 2017, the kingpin was murdered at his larney Constantia home where gunmen killed him in front of his girlfriend and child, who were left unharmed in the attack.
KILLED: Underworld boss Brian Wainstein
Shortly after the murder, the Hawks arrested Wainstein’s bodyguards - brothers Matthew Broderick Breet, 30, and Sheldon Jaret Breet, 34 - along with Cheslyn Adams and later Cupido.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila says in his plea agreement with the State, Cupido confessed that on the day before the murder, he and Adams had attended a meeting at Goodhope Tyres in Mitchells Plain.
“The gathering, attended by members of the 27s gang, planned the murder of the deceased at his Constantia home,” says Ntabazalila.
“The meeting decided that Adams would pull the trigger while Cupido would be the getaway driver.
“The evening of the murder, the accused met with Matthew Breet to swap vehicles.
“Matthew Breet gave him (Cupido) and Adams the layout of the deceased’s house and details of how to access the premises.
“He emphasised that the girlfriend and child of the deceased would be home but should not be harmed.
“Cupido and Adams carried out the murder and went home afterwards.
“The next morning Cupido was paid R35 000 for his role in the murder.”
MANG: Matthew Broderick Breet
Adams and Matthew Breet were sentenced to 25 years and 20 years imprisonment respectively for their role in the murder.
It is believed Cupido is the same man who attempted to kill alleged Sexy Boys gang boss, Jerome “Donkie” Booysen, by injecting him with snake venom at a Bellville hospital.
Booysen had been shot four times in the chest at Cape Town International Airport a few days earlier.
GUARD: Sheldon Jaret Breet, 34
According to a source, Cupido allegedly dressed up as a female doctor, complete with a black wig and navy-blue pumps, but was caught before he could jab Booysen with the syringe.
He was arrested and charged for being in possession of a stolen vehicle and appeared in Bellville Magistrates’ Court a few days later.
Ntabazalila did not respond to questions about the vehicle theft charges or whether Cupido was charged for the alleged attempt on Booysen’s life.