A Cape Town gang member will spend the next 25 years behind bars after he was caught storing a massive arsenal of weapons, explosives and drugs for a breakaway criminal gang.
The Bellville Regional Court sentenced Marwan Alexander to direct imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including being part of an organised crime syndicate, possession of illegal firearms and dealing in drugs.
Police discovered six hand grenades, 50 945 mandrax tablets, firearms, ammunition and roughly R1.79 million in cash when they arrested Alexander at a storage facility in Bellville South on 3 March 2025. The money came from the illegal sale of weapons, explosives and drugs.
Breakaway gang operation
Alexander admitted he was part of the Fancy Boys gang and helped establish a new splinter group called the Young Fancy Boys. In May 2024, the late gang leader Marvin September approached him with plans to start the breakaway faction.
September wanted the new gang to operate independently, expand criminal activities and take control of more territory in the Western Cape. To fund the operation, members began stealing money, firearms and drugs from the original Fancy Boys gang.
Daughter unwittingly rents storage facility
September instructed Alexander to find a storage space that could not be traced back to him or his family. Alexander asked his daughter to rent a unit at the corner of Peter Barlow and Kasselsvlei Roads in Bellville South.
His daughter had no idea what the facility would be used for or what items were being stored there.
Gang members then used the unit to stockpile firearms, ammunition, drugs and explosives. Alexander admitted he knowingly transported and stored the contraband to help distribute it to Young Fancy Boys members.
CCTV evidence seals conviction
Security camera footage captured Alexander and another person moving ammunition, explosives and drugs from a vehicle into the storage facility before and on 3 March 2025.
He was arrested when he returned to the facility that day to collect the items for distribution to gang members.
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Senior State Advocate Christian De Jongh told the court that organised crime poses serious challenges for law enforcement. He argued that gang activity undermines public safety and contributes to violent crime in communities across the Western Cape.
Acting Western Cape director of public prosecutions Adv Adrian Mopp praised the collaboration between the National Prosecuting Authority and the Hawks. He singled out De Jongh and Hawks investigator Captain Alfred Prins for their work on the case.
Mopp said investigators would now focus on tracing the source of the firearms and explosives to bring more people to justice.
