Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Liziwe Ntshinga has welcomed the hefty sentences imposed on two gang members in the Port Elizabeth High court yesterday afternoon.
“It is only through thorough investigation of cases and the integrated partnership with the prosecuting authority that we, the SAPS can enhance our strategy of achieving our goal of building a society where law abiding citizens are and feel safe.”
On June 7 2016, Aaliyah Tee (12) was fatally shot in her house in Bethelsdorp while her father sustained three gunshot wounds.
A week after the incident, Deon Harmse, 24, was arrested and charged for murder and attempted murder. The second accused, Nealon Redhouse, 21, was arrested in July at a house in Stuurman Street in Bethelsdorp. A 9mm pistol, ammunition, bullet proof vests and two cellphones were confiscated. Both accused remained in custody until their sentencing.
In February 2018, Redhouse was sentenced to an effective 18 years for two other murders and a string of additional charges which was committed in November 2015.
On Thursday this week, both Redhouse and Harmse were convicted and sentenced for murder, attempted murder, impersonating a police officer, housebreaking with intent to commit murder, possession of firearm and possession of ammunition. A total of 89 years imprisonment were imposed on them of which 30 years will be effectively served. Redhouse will only start serving his 30-year sentence after he has completed serving his 18-year sentence for the murder cases committed in 2015.
Ntshinga added that, “These sentences meted out to these criminals indicates that justice has been served. Credit must be given to the investigating team, prosecutors, the first responders at the crime scene, forensic experts and all those involved in securing a watertight case against these criminals. At the same time, we hope that family of Tee will derive strength from the fact that those who inflicted this painful experience in their lives, have been sent to jail for a very long time.”
