Cape Town – The Minstrel community is in mourning after the sudden and violent death of one of its leaders.
Russel Jacobs, 38, the co-owner of Mother City Entertainers from Belhar, was gunned down at his scrapyard in Blue Downs.
Another man in his thirties was also shot and injured in the attack which occurred on Friday just before 6pm.
Jacobs was shot in the stomach and back and rushed to hospital, where he died of his injuries on Saturday.
Police are now investigating the death of Jacobs, who was previously linked to an abalone smuggling syndicate.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Jacobs had two cases before the courts for money laundering and racketeering related to abalone smuggling.
Jacobs’ death came as a shock to the minstrel community.
The father of three was supposed to perform his favourite items at the Athlone Stadium on Saturday – the Junior Combined, Senior Combined, Junior Choirs and Junior Best Band.
According to Daily Voice Voorlopertjie columnist, Moeshfieka Botha, Jacobs was involved in uplifting the youth in his community.
“From a point of the Klopse fraternity, Russel was a gentleman who gave his time and all his effort to his family and his troupe,” Moeshfieka says.
“He barely had time to speak to me last week as they prepared for the items happening over the weekend.”
She says in a sad send-off, Mother City Entertainers arrived at the stadium on Saturday with a massive banner with a picture of Jacobs.
“The respect and love for their leader moved me and I was again reminded that the klopse are more than just a group of people making a racket, but a community, led by great people like Russel, lost now to us forever,” she says.
The NPA was investigating Jacobs for allegedly having links to a abalone smuggling syndicate operating in Gansbaai and Hawston.
In 2011, feared 28s gang boss “Perly King” Leslie Abrahams pleaded guilty to charges of racketeering and smuggling abalone.
In court documents, Abrahams claimed that Jacobs paid him R240 per kilogram for the stolen abalone.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Andrè Traut confirms the shooting.
“This office can confirm that two men in their thirties were shot and wounded in Forest Drive Blue Downs on Friday at around 5:50pm,” Traut says.
“Both were admitted to hospital where one succumbed [on Saturday] morning."
“The circumstances are being investigated and no one has been arrested as yet. The motive is yet to be determined.”
Jacobs leaves behind his wife Rashieda and three children aged four, 11 and 17.
Rashieda did not reply to Daily Voice queries.
A Facebook post by his eldest son on Sunday reads: “Truly grateful for everything that you’ve taught me and given on to me. This is something a child would never wanna experience but I won’t give up on you dad. You are in my heart and I will be strong. I miss you and I love you.”