A key state witness in the murder trial of Gift of the Givers volunteer, Ameerodien Noordien, has finally been found after previously refusing to testify.
Shrano Goliath, 20, took the stand at the Western Cape High Court yesterday where he testified how he watched alleged hitman, Adrian Carelse, open fire on two youngsters inside a shop months before killing Ameerodien.
Ameerodien, 19, died in Surwood Walk on 5 October 2018 after coming under fire while walking to a winkel.
His death sparked widespread cries for police intervention and, within days, Police Minister Bheki Cele deployed his new Anti-Gang Unit (AGU) in the area where Adrian Carelse and Raydin Lekuta were busted.
The duo are charged with murder, attempted murder and firearm-related charges.
In his testimony, Goliath told the court that he was a member of the Vulture Kids, which is affiliated with the Ghetto Kids gang.
At the time, the Ghettos Kids and the Americans were embroiled in a bloody turf war and it is believed that Carelse acted as a hitman for the Americans.
Goliath said on 22 August 2018, he was “on a pos” in Athwood Road when Carelse and another unknown gunman were transported in a silver car to the scene at SABR store where they jumped out and opened fire on those in the winkel.
Keagan De Silver was killed in the shooting while Riaaz Taliep, who was just 15 at the time, was shot five times but survived.
In a statement read out in court, Taliep said he did not know the gunmen but only wanted to buy onions and entjies for his ouma.
Goliath, however, was adamant that Carelse was the gunman.
During cross-examination, Carelse’s lawyer repeatedly told Goliath his client denied being at the scene.
“It was him. I saw it was him when he took his cap off,” insisted Goliath.