An alleged gang boss from Manenberg faces 25 years behind bars after being found guilty of the murder of a rival gang member in the Western Cape High Court.
Moegamat Faeez “Faizy” Hendricks, the alleged leader of the Clever Kidz gang, and Moegamat Naeem Benjamin of the Dixie Boys gang have been convicted more than three years after the murder of Angelo Davids.
Davids, a member of the Hard Livings gang, was stabbed to death on 20 July 2016.
Despite being killed in full view of the community, only two witnesses came forward to give cops a statement, which led to the arrest of six skollies.
Last week, Judge Justice Ndita found Hendricks and Benjamin guilty, following the testimonies of activist Roegshanda Pascoe and Angelo’s brother, Craig Brink. The others were found not guilty and released from custody.
Hendricks and Benjamin returned to court on Monday expecting to be sentenced, but Ndita postponed the matter to 16 September for sentencing.
GANG BOSS: Moegamat Faeez “Faizy” Hendricks. Picture supplied
The high-profile case, which saw Pascoe of the Manenberg Safety Forum and her children flee from their family home in Pecos Walk, caused a stir in the gang-riddled suburb.
Shortly before the trial commenced in April, Pascoe’s children came under fire in an apparent hit just days before she was scheduled to take the stand and tell the court what she saw on the day Davids died.
Speaking to the Daily Voice after the judgement, Pascoe said that while the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) celebrates the conviction of a notorious gang boss, it is her family who is paying the ultimate price.
She says in recent months her children and grandchildren have been forced to leave their home just to stay alive amid threats from skollies, with the family relying on food donations.
CONVICTED: Moegamat Naeem Benjamin of the Dixie Boys. Picture supplied
“The price we are paying is very high. My 24-year-old son has lost his job, my teenage daughter has had to leave school and today me, my children, my in-laws and grandchildren live in a house which is paid for by an organisation and we rely on people to give us food donations,” she says.
Pascoe says she has suffered several infections in recent months which doctors say is as a result of the stress.
During court proceedings, the brave woman lifted the lid on life during gang wars in Manenberg and how the Clever Kidz and Dixie Boys stood together against rival gangs.
She also told the court how she looked Faizy in die gesig as he grabbed Davids and held him against a vibracrete wall.