A total of 19 members of the Hollanders gang appeared in the Kimberley Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 5 May, where they are facing 56 charges.
These charges include rape, murder, numerous counts of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit the offence of murder, kidnapping, unlawful possession of ammunition, unlawful possession of firearms, assault to do grievous bodily harm, assault, malicious damage to property, fraud, aiding and abetting of criminal gang activity, bringing or performing acts of violence or criminal activities by a criminal gang, hindering and obstructing police members, and threatening police members with violence.
Mojalefa Senokoatsane, regional spokesperson of the National Prosecution Authority (NPA), said it is alleged that during August 2020 to February 2023, in the areas of Kimberley as well as Kuruman, the accused were active participants of a criminal gang, did wrongfully and unlawfully aid and abet criminal activities for the benefit of their criminal gang called the “Hollanders”.
The arrests of these 19 accused emanated from extensive multi-disciplined investigations that were led by the Hawks and other police units. It was guided by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in the Northern Cape, senior advocates, and senior prosecutors.
As investigations are ongoing, additional arrests and charges might be added to the current case, Senokoatsane said.
The matter was adjourned for Legal Aid services and postponed to 31 May. All accused are remanded in custody until their next court date.
- In another unrelated case, an 18-year-old teenager has appeared in the Galeshewe District Court this week, where he is facing a charge of murder.
He is accused of having stabbed and killed a 16-year-old.
Senokoatsane said on 29 April the accused was fighting with another person when he went home, only to return with a knife.
Upon his return, he found the victim standing at a gate and stabbed the victim with the knife. The victim was certified dead at the hospital.
The matter was reported to the police and the accused was arrested.
The case has been postponed to Monday, 8 May, for possible bail application, and the accused is remanded in custody until his next court appearance.
- In yet another unrelated case, Ishmael Modise (49) from Barkly West has recently appeared in the Delportshoop Magistrates’ Court on a charge of murder.
The accused is alleged to have killed his 61-year-old girlfriend after an altercation. It is alleged that on 30 April the two were at a tavern when they started arguing. The victim left the tavern and made her way home. The accused apparently followed her and was later seen with blood-stained clothes.
The matter was reported to the police. They visited the home of the victim where they found her shack on fire with a body inside. The accused was arrested and charged with murder.
The matter has been postponed to Monday, 8 May, for possible bail application.
Given the seriousness of the charge in this Schedule 5 matter, the prosecution will be opposing bail, Senokoatsane said. The accused is remanded in custody until his next court appearance.
