Three years after a Strandfontein dad was shot in cold blood and robbed of his car, his killers were found guilty in court on Thursday.
Three of the five men accused of murdering Grant Fredericks, 39, were convicted for their role in the crime that shook the community in 2016.
Western Cape High Court Acting Judge Bruce Langa found Zingisile Kleinhans, Themba Jilaji and Mongameli Dyani guilty of four charges, including murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances and the possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
Grant, a father of two young children, was shot and killed on the evening of 20 September 2016 outside a tuck shop in Milano Street, San Remo.
Two other accused, Siphokule Bulana and Xola Nakumba, were found not guilty as they could not be placed at the scene.
All five men were convicted of eight charges relating to the attempted robbery of the Robb Trigg jewellery store in Claremont on 21 September 2016.
SKULDIG: Three of the five men accused of killing Grant were found guilty while all five men were convicted of attempted robbery
Grant was at the shop buying a cooldrink, and was driving his red VW Polo when he was confronted by Kleinhans and his accomplices.
They demanded his car keys before shooting Grant in the back.
The court heard on Thursday that Grant had fallen to the ground during a scuffle and after being shot, desperately handed over his car keys and told his killer: “Take it, take it.”
He was shot and the men fled in his car.
But they were stopped in their tracks less than 24 hours later when they tried to rob the jewellery store.
One of the employees had pressed the panic button, setting off the alarm and causing the skelms to flee.
TAKEN: Grant’s VW Polo was stolen
A wakker cop on patrol spotted Grant’s distinctive red car parked along Osbourne Road, with Kleinhans behind the wheel.
Kleinhans jumped out of the car and attempted to flee on foot with his cohorts when they saw the police, but the gang was caught.
The car, an unlicensed firearm, gloves, hammer, a fake gun and screwdriver were retrieved at the scene.
CCTV footage placed the accused at both scenes.
Accused four, Jilaji, could be clearly seen on a video recording at the tuckshop where Grant was killed, while all the accused were caught on the CCTV footage at the jewellery store.
GEVANG: Diewe at the jewellery store
DNA evidence from the clothing they wore like caps, a jacket and a glove were also positive matches to items found in Grant’s car.
Judge Langa found that the men had planned their crime spree: “All of the accused are guilty of the attempted robbery at the Trigg Jewellers. They all had a common purpose.”
A date for sentencing will be decided today.
Grant’s widow was at court but did not want to comment.