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Those familiar with the way the Western Cape’s gangs operate have often spoken about the slick criminal enterprises they run, but now a member of the ‘Terrible Josters’ gang, testifying under witness protection, has outlined just how much manpower they have at their disposal.

The gang member is testifying as a State witness at the Western Cape High Court, in the trial of alleged Terrible Josters gang leader Horatio Solomons, who is also known as ‘Voudie’, and 11 other members.

This from IOL:

The state claims that Solomons and his members, of which eight are alleged shooters, are facing 77 charges including 11 murders, dealing in drugs, money laundering, illegal possession of firearms and contravention of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (Poca). The accused is the son of the sister of Ernie “Lastig” Solomons [with the glasses on, below] who is the alleged leader of the 28s gang, who also styled himself as a pigeon farmer and rapper.

Members of the protection unit guarded the witness and members of the Anti-Gang Unit guarded the entrance to court 3.

I’ve watched enough of The Sopranos to know that this state witness, and their family, is in serious need of protection.

More from yesterday’s court proceeding:

Asked by [Advocate Mervyn] Menigo to detail the leadership of the Terrible Josters gang, the witness said: “Horatio is the leader of the Terrible Josters in Delft, Wesbank, Elsies River and Kleinmond. I’ve met all the other leaders of this gang in Hawston at Club Octopus, where we attended birthday celebrations of Ernie Lastig on August 4. The last one I attended was in 2013 and I was also Mr Solomon’s bodyguard.

“At that gatherings Ernest Solomons talked to the different leaders and they gave him feedback. Of the leaders who attended the gatherings were Theo Doppie from the Mongrels, Basil Seven leader of the Terrible Josters in Bishop Lavis, Terrible Josters leaders from Kreefgat and Bonteheuwel and the leader of the Mongrels in Ottery. We have 10 000 gang members spread all over the Western Cape.”

The witness said that all 10 000 members ultimately report to a single leader, and the gang’s drug-dealing activities have led to violent showdowns with rival gangs in areas like Delft, Belhar, Elsies, Paarl and Ottery.

If the rival gang was defeated, their members would then join the Terrible Josters:

On the hand sign used by the Terrible Josters, the witness explained that if he saluted a member with an open hand showing towards the member it meant he had no problem with him and came in peace. But if he greeted a member showing the back of his hand it signified that he didn’t come in peace…

“We sold drugs on a wholesale basis to Riebeeck West and Paarl. I got drugs from Elton Eli who got them from a person known as Sas and Sas got the drugs from Ernest Solomons.

“If a gang does not make a profit on selling drugs he will wage a war with the one luring his customers away.”

A reminder that there’s a map showing which gangs have been battling for control of certain areas in the Cape.

At times, it really does look like the Wild West out there.

The trial of Solomons and the 11 co-accused will continue on August 26.

[source:iol]