[imagesource: File picture / African News Agency (ANA)]

In April 2020, well-known criminal lawyer William Booth survived an attempted hit at his Higgovale home. Shortly after 7AM, two men wearing masks approached his home, with one opening fire whilst Booth was in his garage. The shots missed their target, and Booth was unharmed.

The following month, CCTV footage of the men suspected of carrying out the attempted hit was shared, and arrests were made shortly thereafter.

Further details surrounding the attempted hit came out in a court hearing last September. An attempt on a man’s life is nothing to joke about, but this does warrant revisiting.

Ebrahim Deare and Riyaad Gesant were dropped off close to Booth’s house on April 6, 2020, to plan the hit. However, they went to the wrong address and the mission was aborted.

The following day, they returned to the area around his house, where Deare smoked Mandrax and subsequently fell into a hole, injuring his leg.

It was only on April 9 that the attempted hit took place, with all five rounds missing their intended target.

This week, news broke that another arrest has been made in connection with the attempted hit. News24 with more:

An alleged gang leader has been arrested in connection with the attempted hit…

Moegamat Toufiek Brown, known as “Bubbles”, was arrested and appeared in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.

Image: Esa Alexander

The 25-year-old is facing charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, as well as gang-related charges under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act, said Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale.

‘Bubbles’ is accused of acting as a middleman, both in the planning and orchestration of the attempted hit on Booth.

Brown’s wife, Kauthar Brown, has already pleaded guilty to her involvement, as have Deare and Gesant (some outlets report his last name as Gasant).

The failed hit was allegedly carried out because Booth represented an individual being extorted by alleged underworld figure Nafiz Modack. Both Modack and former rugby player Zane Kilian are on trial for Booth’s attempted murder, with Brown now added to the charge sheet.

News24 previously reported that the hit was ordered by a member of the Terrible West Siders gang from within a prison. Kauthar Brown admitted to planning the hit, and Deare and Gasant were sent to Booth’s address.

Modack is also on trial for the murder of Anti-Gang Unit detective Charl Kinnear.

The case was postponed to Monday for the appointment of a legal representative for Brown.

[source:news24]