Cape Town -
A self-proclaimed Mongrels gang member convicted of murdering eight-year-old Junaid McKenzie was susceptible to a life of gangsterism because of his upbringing, his lawyer told the Western Cape High Court.
Arguing in mitigation of sentence, Faiza Viljoen, for Moegamat Shafiek Minnies, said Minnies had joined the gang mainly because he dropped out of school in Grade 8.
He worked sporadically but it was difficult for him to find a job. Peer pressure contributed to his decision to join the Mongrels.
Minnies, 24, sold drugs for the gang and received a stipend which helped support his two children.
On June 27, Minnies had been with the Mongrels gang for six months when Junaid was shot and killed.
On Monday, Judge Ashley Binns-Ward found the shooting was a revenge attack by the Mongrels gang who wanted to harm a member of – or someone close to – their rival gang, the Junk Funky Kids (JFKs). Junaid’s elder brother belonged to the JFKs.
Junaid was playing soccer outside his Melody Square home in Steenberg around 7pm when he was shot in the head. Passerby Leticia Jacobs was hit in the stomach, but survived.
Judge Binns-Ward convicted Minnies of murder, attempted murder and the illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.
The judge acquitted his co-accused, Gary Peters, 22, because the State failed to prove his involvement beyond reasonable doubt.
The judge said that according to the evidence, the JFKs, Mongrels and Corner Boys all operated in the Steenberg area.
Minnies and Peters were charged with six counts related to the Prevention of Organised Crime Act for alleged gang activity, murder, attempted murder and the illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.
The case has been adjourned to December 10 for pre-sentence reports.
Cape Argus