Family and friends of the former cop who was arrested with 10 alleged gangsters and who has been dubbed “the Mamma of the JCY gang”, claims she only ran a pella pos and is not part of the gang.
Drama unfolded at the Mitchells Plain Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday when the Magistrate ordered that the police’s forensic photographer be allowed to photograph the accused.
This was after some of the accused, all alleged members of the Junior Cisco Yakkies, refused to have their pictures taken for an upcoming identity parade.
The cop-turned-mert, Penelope Ventura, was wheeled into the courtroom for closing arguments in their bail application.
CHARGES: Former cop Penny Ventura attended bail application in court.
Wearing thick striped socks without shoes, and a check scarf draped over her legs, Ventura looked gatvol and exhausted as proceedings began.
The gang is facing 50 charges, including six murders, several attempted murders, the illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition, and charges relating to the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA).
The 10 skollies may not be named until the formal identity parade is conducted.
Ventura, who was arrested last month, was formerly stationed at Mitchells Plain Police Station.
She was shot and wounded twice, in 2018 and this year, at her Lentegeur home, which was also previously petrol-bombed.
The second shooting damaged her spine and left her a paraplegic.
On Wednesday, Senior State Prosecutor Albert Isaacs said some of the accused refused to have their pictures taken or have their bodies checked out for gang tjappies.
“I asked the photographer to do bodily features and some of the accused refused to give their co-operation and from the defence’s side, this is delaying it. The court can make an order,” he stated.
One of the defence lawyers objected, saying they were only designated to deal with the bail application.
The Magistrate then ordered that all accused be photographed and profiled.
On Monday, an affidavit by the detective, Sergeant Scholtz, stated the main
murder accused had refused to have his bodily features and tattoos photographed.
He also stated that Ventura was the “Mamma of the JCYs” and that rival gangs have been trying to take her out.
So much so that while she was in hospital, she used an alias to protect herself.
He said all the accused were “dangerous criminals who could commit more murders” if they were granted bail.
UNDER ATTACK: Ventura’s Lentegeur house was petrol-bombed several attempts on her life. File photo
Outside court, family and friends of the accused claimed the cases were being “fabricated”.
They said Ventura only ran a pella pos and was not part of the gang.
“It is all lies, she is not the Mamma of the JCY,” one woman said.
“It was only a Yakkie huis, Penny was nooit ‘n Yakkie nie.
“She is a mother who cares for her children.”
The case has been postponed to 13 December.