Two gangsters who shot and killed “millionaire mom” Loretta Rubain after trying to extort money from her have been found guilty and sent to prison.
Two years after Loretta, 42, was found dead inside her Elsies River home, the two 26s members were convicted at the Bellville Commercial Court this week, with one of them being handed a life sentence.
The mom of four was killed on 9 July 2019 when two gunmen stormed her Springbok Place council flat, demanded money from her and then shot her in the chest.
According to a police source, Loretta was at home with her seven-year-old son and 12-year-old daughter at the time of the attack.
The next day traumatised neighbours told the Daily Voice that her children had been taken to a place of safety and revealed that Loretta had shortly before been awarded a R2.6 million claim by the Road Accident Fund.
At the same time, her older son had been released from prison and neighbours claimed the skollies demanded that Loretta pay them R10 000 so her son could “kap safe” in the area, but she refused.
Police spokesperson, Captain FC van Wyk said Loretta’s son recognised the two suspects as they ran away.
“The investigation was taken over by the Anti-Gang Unit detective team with Sergeant Oktober as lead investigating officer,” he said.
“Due to the fast and effective investigative methods applied and the tasking of informers, the first suspect, known as Johan ‘Katanga’ Goliath, 37, was arrested and a few days later, a second suspect known as Jonathan ‘Luksman’ Solomons, 43, was arrested after endless follow-ups and tracing operations.”
He says both suspects appeared in the Goodwood Magistrates’ Court a week later where bail was successfully opposed and the matter transferred to the Bellville Commercial Court.
On 9 April, the duo was found guilty of murder and Solomons was sentenced to life in prison for firing the shots which killed Loretta, while Goliath was sentenced to seven years behind bars for acting as an accomplice.
“In court, the family of the deceased as well as the community applauded the conviction and sentences of these two fearless gang members,” says Van Wyk.
Acting Provincial Police Commissioner, Major-General Thembisile Patekile, commended the investigating team for their dedication and commitment in tracing and apprehending the skollies.