The four men convicted of murdering alleged Mongrels gang leader Clint Smith in March 2013 in Atlantis by stabbing him 247 times “acted like a pack of wolves” and made sure they finished this job.
At the Cape High Court on Wednesday, Judge Robert Henney handed down life sentences to G-Unit gang members Gerrit Franse, Michael Adams, Aldrick Adams and Chestwell Essop on a count of murder, and six years for a charge of kidnapping.
The sentences will run concurrently.
The skollies were convicted earlier this month.
On Wednesday, heavily armed police officers were in and outside the court and only a certain amount of people were allowed in before the door was locked.
A large number of supporters of the convicted killers were not allowed inside court.
On the day of the murder, Smith was lured to the house of G-Unit gang-leader, Franse.
Henney said: “Smith was assaulted at home. He resisted when he was forced into a car. In evidence it emerged that it was said that he must be killed. Once you all agreed to carry out the act you acted like a pack of wolves.
“The attack was vicious and the post-mortem report showed the deceased was stabbed 247 times. All vital organs were penetrated. This is one of the most gruesome and inhumane cases of cold blooded killings. Smith must have endured tremendous suffering.”
His half naked body was dumped in Saxonwold along the Old Mamre-Darling Road and his deserted bloodstained car was found 15km further.
Henney said a strong message needed to be sent out that the courts will protect society from gangsters who were “a rule unto themselves”.
The family of the deceased said they are happy with the sentence.