A Cape Flats gang boss has been sentenced to 25 years for the murder of a
seven-year-old child and other crimes.
Tasliem “Thaliem” Bianchi, the leader of the Junky Funky Kids gang in Parkwood, was found guilty and sentenced to 25 years behind bars for the murder of little Ezra Daniels, after entering into a plea and sentencing agreement with the State.
Bianchi, 33, sat smiling and waved to his relatives as he was convicted on Friday in the Cape High Court.
The conviction has been hailed as a major victory by cops at the Grassy Park Police Station.
Station Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Dawood Laing, has praised the community for “finally standing up” and securing the conviction of a feared gang boss.
“This is a victory for the people of Grassy Park, Parkwood, for us (the police) and the family.
“The community stood up and were prepared to give witness statements and he (Bianchi) knew there would be punishment. The facts were overwhelming and as long as there were witness statements (he knew he could not win).”
A defeated Bianchi admitted he shot and killed the little boy.
The target was a rival gangster, but the bullet struck Ezra instead as he played with a friend in Abdullah Moosa Walk in Parkwood on 3 September 2017.
The child’s death sparked a riot by residents who marched and threw bricks at Bianchi’s home.
KILLER:Tasliem Bianchi got 25 years in jail for murder
Along with Bianchi, cops also arrested his brother, Ikeraam Bianchi, as well as Marlon Neehuis, Kimberly Solomons and Kelly Daniels for Ezra’s murder.
They are charged with Ezra’s murder, two attempted murders, the unlawful possession of ammunition and a firearm, and two counts of contravening the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (Poca) for their alleged involvement in a gang
activity.
A primer residue test on the gun linked to Ezra’s murder showed positive results for Tasliem.
He was sentenced to 25 years for Ezra’s killing.
For the contravention of Poca, Bianchi was slapped with a total of ten years, and for the two attempted murders, also ten years.
He received an additional three years for the possession of ammunition and seven years for the possession of a firearm.
He received a total of 55 years, but will serve about half of that time in jail as the sentences will run concurrently.
BEREAVED: Desiree Daniels
The trial of the other four suspects will commence on 13 October.
It is alleged they were all present in the car on the day of the drive-by shooting in which Ezra was killed.
Speaking to the Daily Voice, Ezra’s grieving mother, Desiree Daniels, said Bianchi had shown no remorse for murdering her son.
“My heart is broken,” she said. “I sat there watching how they smiled and waved to their family; I thought how can people be so cruel. I feel the pain, I have lost my son. No sentence will bring my son back.”