Quinton Mtyala
TWO top alleged gang leaders are in the dock in separate trials at the Western Cape High Court in what police have described as a breakthrough against organised crime syndicates in the province.
In the first case, Shawn van Rooyen, an alleged leader of the 28s gang in Eerste River, along with Simson Viljoen, John Viljoen and Viviana Joshua, are facing 11 charges and have gone on trial for allegedly contravening the Prevention of Organised Crime Act.
Police claim the four were part of a criminal gang which traded in drugs in Eerste River and Belhar from October 2013 until August 2014, when they were arrested.
Van Rooyen and the two Viljoen brothers are accused of the attempted murder of Elroy Prins and Chantell Fisher on November 3, 2013.
The gang is also being fingered for the shooting death of Gustav Davids and the attempted murder of Ansten Martins.
In the other case which started yesterday, Maxwill Davids and Samantha Bailey have also gone on trial for alleged organised crime-related offences.
Davids is accused of the shooting death of Hendrick Hugo in 2014 in Bellville South. Davids, an alleged 28s gang member, is believed to have received instructions from his co-accused, who police say is a known drug dealer in the area.
Deputy provincial commissioner in charge of detectives Jeremy Vearey said the trials were the culmination of years of work by his detectives.