CAPE TOWN – Two gang members have been sentenced to life imprisonment after being convicted of murdering a pregnant woman and attempting to kill six others in a case of mistaken identity in Kraaifontein.
The Western Cape Division of the High Court in Cape Town sentenced Jeremia Fortuin and Ricardo Cloete to life imprisonment, with additional sentences of 107 years and 96 years respectively running concurrently with the life terms.
The court convicted the two Ferodo gang members of fatally shooting Shahida Nathan (21), who was eight months pregnant, on 21 June 2020. Six others who were with her at the time were also targeted in the attack.
The incident occurred during a turf war between the Ferodo and Mobster gangs over the illegal drug trade in Scottsdene, Kraaifontein. Nine active gang groups operate in the area, with the Ferodo controlling a section known as the Zoo, which includes Klipbok Street and surrounding streets.
State Advocate Steven Rubin proved that Fortuin and Cloete had seen Alfredo Titus and Ridwaan Smith, both members of the rival Mobster gang, entering the yard of 30 Klipbok Street that morning and chased after them. The two men ran into the main house, but the accused believed they had fled to a backyard shack where Nathan and six others were gathered.
Cloete pointed out the shack to Fortuin, who was armed with an illegal firearm. Fortuin opened fire on the shack, believing the two rival gang members were inside. Nathan was fatally wounded, along with two men aged 29 and 37 years who survived their injuries.
Both accused pleaded not guilty at the start of the trial. Fortuin claimed he had attended a party in Klapmuts on the evening of 20 June 2020 and returned intoxicated, sleeping until midmorning. Cloete claimed he had smoked drugs with a friend the night before and woke up midmorning.
The court admitted hearsay evidence in the form of statements made by Titus and Smith, who have since died. The court found the State had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and rejected the accused’s denials of being at the scene and being members of the Ferodo gang.
Fortuin was convicted on 10 charges, including gang membership in contravention of Section 9 (2) of Act 121 of 1998, murder, six counts of attempted murder, and illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition. He received six years for gang membership, life imprisonment for murder, 15 years for each count of attempted murder, eight years for illegal possession of a firearm and three years for illegal possession of ammunition.
Cloete was convicted on the same charges except for the firearm and ammunition offences, receiving the same corresponding sentences.
Advocate Nicolette Bell, the Director of Public Prosecutions in the Western Cape, commended the investigation and prosecution team. She also acknowledged the witnesses, including a family member of the accused, who testified despite potential danger.
