A gang hitman from Parkwood will spend the next eight years behind bars, thanks to brave residents who took the witness stand and piemped him for a shooting.
Quinton “Skeffie” Saptou, 21, was sentenced to eight years in Pollsmoor at the Wynberg Regional Court for the attempted murder of a rival gang member who was shot in the face and ended up paralysed.
Grassy Park Police Station commander Colonel Dawood Laing says Saptou, who is a hitman for the Mongrels, opened fire at a huiswinkel in Parkwood Avenue in 2019.
“On 22 November 2019, the accused fired a hail of bullets at a member of the Junky Funky Kids gang as he came out of a shop in Parkwood Avenue.
“The 33-year-old victim was shot in the left side of his head.
“SAPS officers went to the hospital and opened a skeleton docket and it was discovered that the victim also had spinal injuries and is now in a wheelchair.”
The case was led by Detective Sergeant Sicelo Bongashe and, after a lengthy investigation, Saptou was arrested and charged with murder.
Laing explains as witnesses were willing to submit statements and testify in court, cops were able to secure the conviction.
“He was found guilty of attempted murder and sentenced to an effective eight years imprisonment of which three years are suspended for five years on condition that he does not commit the same crime again.
“He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.”
Laing said the dedicated detective worked closely with witnesses to ensure the conviction.
“We congratulate Sergeant Bongashe for his brilliant investigation and his commitment in the fight against crime.
“Police are working around the clock to prevent and combat crime, but this case shows how, when the community works with us, we can ensure that the shooters are taken off the streets.
“While a rival gang member was hit in this incident, it could have easily been an innocent bystander and I applaud the community for taking a stand.”
Laing says over the past two years, cops have dedicated themselves to curbing gang violence not only by making arrests but also ensuring convictions.
“We want to build cases that are watertight to ensure that we get all the shooters off the streets.
“This is not only about arresting them, but ensuring that they stay inside [prison].”