Cape Town - The DA ward councillor under fire after lobbying for a lighter jail sentence for a convicted gangster on Saturday said he did so because the gangster’s mother had twice approached him.
Willie Jaftha, a councillor in Belhar, was suspended this week after writing to Judge Chantel Fortuin asking that Reyaaz “Katjies” Dennis, convicted in one of the biggest gang trials in South Africa, be handed a lighter jail term.
Jaftha on Saturday defended his actions, telling Weekend Argus he did not support gangsterism. “This guy’s mother came to me twice for this thing.”
On Wednesday, Dennis was sentenced to an effective 20 years behind bars in the Western Cape High Court, where he shared the dock with 16 other gangsters, including 28s gang kingpin George “Geweld” (Violence) Thomas.
Handing down the sentences, Judge Fortuin said she was shocked a ward councillor asked for a lighter jail term for Dennis, who was convicted of charges including murder, gang-related offences and housebreaking. State prosecutors had also alleged he was a middleman working under Thomas.
Jaftha on Saturday said he felt compelled to write Judge Fortuin a letter, in which he described Dennis as a “respectful citizen” who had gone to school with his children.
Jaftha declined to say anything further about his reasons for writing the letter, as he faced a disciplinary hearing and wanted it to be completed first.
But he told Weekend Argus he wanted to make it clear that he opposed gangsterism.
“This is an isolated case… Nobody understands me. They’re all criticising me at the moment. But I want to state categorically that I’m not for gangsterism,” Jaftha said.
He said last week he had gone to schools with community safety MEC Dan Plato to warn pupils about getting involved in gangs.
Last month he also participated in a march against gangsterism, Jaftha said.
Jaftha said he expected the disciplinary hearing to go ahead within a week or two.
DA provincial leader Patricia de Lille said Jaftha had been suspended with immediate effect.
“An internal investigation into Councillor Jaftha’s conduct has been initiated. It is unacceptable, and unconscionable, for a DA pubic representative to write to the High Court seeking to influence the sentencing of convicted criminals,” said De Lille.
“The DA views this in a very serious light, and will pursue all internal means against Councillor Jaftha.”
De Lille said the DA distanced itself from Jaftha’s written submission in mitigation of Dennis’s sentence.
“The DA believes that convicted gangsters must receive the harshest sentences possible,” she said.
Weekend Argus