GANG MEMBERS JAILED FOR LIFE FOR BRUTAL TORTURE AND MURDER

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the heavy sentences handed down to members of the Wonder Boys gang for the brutal torture and murder of Vinchernico Theron, whom they falsely accused of stealing a firearm.

The High Court of South Africa, Western Cape Division, sitting in Cape Town, convicted Wayne Jacobs, Jaden Abrahams, Keenan Coetzee, Thomas van der Merwe, Jonathan Beukes, Lee Malan, Miche Jacobs, Zakier Abrahams, Veronica de Jongh, and Faizel Manuel on charges including murder, two counts of kidnapping, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, and defeating the ends of justice.

During the trial, Senior State Advocate Steven Rubin proved that Theron was last seen on 06 June 2021. Two days later, his mother reported him missing to the Mitchells Plain Police Station after learning that he had been kidnapped. The investigation revealed that the accused abducted Theron after wrongly suspecting him of stealing a firearm belonging to the gang.

Evidence before the court showed that Miche Jacobs instructed gang members to bring Theron and Leon Paulse to Wayne Jacobs’ house in Drakenstein Street, Tafelsig, Mitchells Plain, where they were subjected to prolonged torture. Wayne Jacobs declared that one of the two men would die, after which the abuse escalated. Paulse was later released after his father intervened and pleaded for his son's freedom.

The torture inflicted on Theron included repeated burns with boiling water. Miche Jacobs repeatedly boiled water and supplied it to those carrying out the assault. At one point, Jaden Abrahams ripped skin from the deceased's severely burnt abdomen.

As Theron's condition deteriorated, Veronica de Jongh said he should be killed because he was already close to death. Abrahams and Coetzee subsequently removed the severely injured Theron from the house and handed him over to Beukes and Manuel, who placed him in a wheelie bin and disposed of his body. His remains have never been recovered.

Adv Rubin led the evidence of seven witnesses, including the deceased's mother, Charmaine Curtis, who testified that her son was a creature of habit and invariably returned home several times a day. She told the court that after collecting lunch at home on 06 June 2021, she never saw him again. Despite extensive searches conducted by family members, community members and the police, no trace of Theron was found.

The accused pleaded not guilty and advanced various alibis. However, Adv Rubin successfully argued that the State's evidence overwhelmingly disproved their versions. The court agreed, finding the accused's explanations to be false and improbable, and convicted them on the charges brought by the State.

The court sentenced Wayne Jacobs, Thomas van der Merwe, Lee Malan, and Zakier Abrahams to effective life imprisonment after ordering the sentences on the remaining charges to run concurrently with the sentence for murder.

Jaden Abrahams was sentenced to an effective 25 years' direct imprisonment, while Keenan Coetzee received an effective 22 years' direct imprisonment. Miche Jacobs was sentenced to an effective 20 years' imprisonment, and Veronica de Jongh received an effective 12 years' imprisonment for her role in the crimes.

Beukes and Manuel were acquitted on the charges of murder, the two counts of kidnapping, and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, but were convicted of defeating the ends of justice and sentenced to an effective eight years' direct imprisonment each.

The NPA welcomes the sentences imposed by the court, which reflect the gravity of the crimes committed and send a clear message that gang-related violence, kidnapping, torture, and murder will not be tolerated. The successful prosecution demonstrates the criminal justice system's commitment to holding perpetrators accountable and securing justice for victims and their families.

The NPA remains steadfast in its efforts to combat gang-related and organised crime and to ensure that those who terrorise communities face the full might of the law. The Authority commends Senior State Advocate Steven Rubin, the investigating team and all other role players whose dedication and professionalism contributed to this successful outcome.

Issued by:

Eric Ntabazalila

Regional Communications Manager - Western Cape

National Prosecuting Authorit