Cape Town - I never ordered anyone to kill anyone and I was never a gang leader. These were the words of alleged 28s gang boss George “Geweld” Thomas who was the first defence witness to testify in mitigation of sentence on Tuesday.
Sentencing proceedings against Thomas and his 16 co-accused began in the Western Cape High Court on Tuesday.
Thomas smiled throughout most of his testimony and as he was cross-examined by prosecutor Willie Viljoen.
Thomas proclaimed his innocence, despite being convicted of 53 charges including seven of murder, incitement to commit murder, 11 charges of unlawful possession of firearms and two of racketeering by Judge Chantal Fortuin last week. Thomas had, however, added that he would let the law take its course.
Thomas has been part of one of the most complex gang-related cases that have been running for about five years in the High Court.
His co-accused were all found guilty of various charges including murder, illegal possession of ammunition and extortion. Two of his co-accused were acquitted.
Thomas has denied that he incited alleged fellow gang members to carry out hits on his instruction. “I never caused people’s deaths. I never told anyone to kill anyone. I never gave those orders. I believe another court would come to a different conclusion.”
Thomas said he believed that there was more crime in Bishop Lavis now, compared to when he was still in the area, adding that the numbers gangs only existed in prison and not on the streets.
“There are no 26 or 28 street gangs, these only exist in prison. When you get out of jail you leave the 28s mentality behind.”
Thomas’s lawyer, Janos Mihalik, said he would be appealing the decision to convict his client.
“I think the one thing the media has been focused on is that he has been convicted of 53 charges, but they do not mention that he was acquitted of 115 charges. This is a political show trial, just like Staggie’s one. It is just a way for them to say that they are clamping down on crime.
“That is why there are all these police and bodyguards in court.”
On Tuesday morning, the court was packed with people, from the lawyers who buzzed around the dock to the small army of Correctional Services officers brought in to chaperone the men.
When Thomas was brought up from the bowels of the court he sent cameramen into a frenzy as they craned their necks to try and snap a few seconds of footage of the man at the heart of more than 50 charges.
Proceedings, set to begin at 10am, were delayed by an hour.
And when they finally began there were frequent interruptions as the crowd, which had gathered in the public gallery, sporadically burst into chatter.
The men listened intently as their criminal records were read out in court, standing up and nodding to confirm the contents.
More witnesses are expected to appear through the course of the week as sentencing proceedings are set to continue.
Cape Argus