There were loud cheers at the Athlone Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday as the skollie accused of killing an innocent young man from Hanover Park was sent to Pollsmoor Prison to await his bail hearing.
Gershwin “Dood” Benjamin, 34, smiled at the gallery as he appeared on murder charges for the death of Faghmie Valentine, 21.
Faghmie died on Saturday night while visiting a woman in St. Lucia Court along with his cousin.
A gunman walked into the flat and opened fire on Faghmie, hitting him twice in the face.
His mother, who is the chairperson of the Blomvlei Neighbourhood Watch, Sadeeka Valentine, 40, fainted when she heard her son had been killed.
SOLIDARITY: Protesters gather at Athlone court
Police say Faghmie’s valuables, including jewellery, money and a cellphone, were stolen after the shooting.
Benjamin was arrested on Monday by members of the Anti-Gang Unit.
A cop source says he’s a member of the Dollar Kidz gang.
Angry aunties and members of the Blomvlei Neighbourhood Watch filled the court and hurled abuse at Benjamin during his appearance, calling him a “plastic gangster” and a “vark who shoots innocent people”.
Benjamin appeared briefly before Magistrate Keith le Keur and opted for a Legal Aid lawyer. The case was postponed to 7 March for a bail information hearing.
KILLED: Faghmie Valentine, 21
Resident Constance Dirk, 59, says: “Ek is f***en kwaad. Die varke wat innocent kinders skiet, hulle dink hulle is macho men maar hulle is plastic vark gangsters.
“Dan het die * *** nog ’* grin op sy gesig, hy moet man gaan vang in die mang.”
Sadeeka says in the next few weeks, the neighbourhood watch will work hard to oppose bail by calling on residents to sign a petition.
“We are aiming for 3 000 signatures to show the court that we don’t want him out and if they let him out, then the community will deal with him,” she says.
SIGN: Sadeeka Valentine
“My family is still struggling to deal with Faghmie’s death and my children cry every day for their boeta.”
While police have still not established a motive for the murder, residents are calling on those present in the house at the time of the shooting to come forward.
After the murder, a woman identifying herself as Benjamin’s sister apologised to Sadeeka for her brother’s actions, asking forgiveness.