The leader of the Pagad G-Force and another member, who were busted by cops for vigilantism, say they were actually acting in self-defence when they shot two people at an informal settlement earlier this year.
Mogamat Samuels, 57, and G-Force leader Moulana Moegshien Barendse, 54, were arrested last week after four firearms, shotguns, pistols and ammunition were found at their homes in Grassy Park.
Cops believe the men acted like vigilantes when they allegedly shot and wounded two people a man and a woman and killed a dog at Egoli informal settlement in January.
The two made a brief appearance at the Athlone Magistrates’ Court on Thursday where they are facing a charge of attempted murder.
The case was postponed to 25 April for bail information.
Police said the arrest and seizure came as the result of a shooting incident which had occurred on Saturday, 6 January at Egoli informal settlement in Philippi.
“A group of males opened fire on a group of residents of Egoli informal settlement, wounding a 30-year-old woman in her stomach and buttocks, and a 45-year-old man in his legs, back and on the side of his head. A dog was also fatally wounded,” said spokesman, Captain FC van Wyk.
BUST: Leader Moulana Moegshien Barendse
However, speaking via a Pagad G-Force spokesperson who asked not to be identified, the men on Friday claimed they were acting in self-defence after they were stoned by rioting residents.
They say they contacted Daily Voice “to tell their side of the story”.
They say people had called the G-Force for help with skollies who were terrorising residents.
“There was a shooting incident where a few members were involved,” the spokesman said.
“They responded to a situation in Egoli informal settlement and, when arriving there, some elements (gangsters) drew firearms on them.
“Some of the gangsters threw bricks at them.
“Their response is that they were defending themselves when G-Force was called to defuse a situation.”
Last week the Philippi Police Station commander, Colonel Dennis Ables, called on people not to take the law into their own hands, but rather call the police when dealing with crime.