Accused on bail at time of cop’s murder

Wesley Woodman

Wesley Woodman

Published Apr 13, 2013

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Cape Town - The 26-year-old man accused of the murder of traffic officer Wesley Woodman and motorist Shaib Arafdien was out on bail on a possession of an illegal firearm charge when the murder was committed.

National Prosecuting Authority spokesman Eric Ntabazalila confirmed that Quinton Ashley Cordom has a pending case of illegal possession of a firearm against him.

Cordom made his second appearance in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court yesterday in connection with the shooting and killing of Woodman and Arafdien, an alleged member of the Junkie Funkies gang.

Prosecutor Kepler Uys asked the case to be rolled over to Monday as the organised crime component of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions would take over the case. Magistrate Hafiza Mohammed agreed to the request.

It is the State’s case that Cordom shot Woodman while he was issuing a traffic fine to Arafdien along Prince George Drive, near Lavender Hill, on April 3. He then turned the gun on Arafdien.

Arafdien, who was hit in the head, died at the scene while Woodman, who was shot in the chest, died in Groote Schuur Hospital later. Woodman’s service pistol was stolen.

Woodman’s funeral will be held today at St John’s Church in Bothasig.

Woodman left behind his wife Colleen and children Jenna-Beth, 10, four-year-old Jared and three-year-old Cole.

It is believed that the shooting was gang- related.

 

It is alleged that Cordom gave the firearm to a 20-year-old Retreat man, identified as Sherwin Patric Cupido, who was later arrested.

The State did not oppose Cupido’s release on R500 bail. Cupido will reappear in court on July 19 to allow for further investigation.

 

Meanwhile, metro police have cracked down on crime in Lavender Hill as part of Operation Choke. JP Smith, mayoral committee member for safety and security, said the operation was “retaliation” for the murder of Woodman.

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