Gang member from Westbury Kemal Zita sentenced to 71 years and two life imprisonment terms

A gang member from Westbury, 25-year-old Kemal Zita, was sentenced to two life imprisonment terms and 71 years in the Gauteng South High Court on Thursday, 13 May. 

This was after being found guilty on five counts of attempted murder, possession of unlawful firearms, possession of unlawful ammunition as well as aiding and abetting criminal activities committed for benefit of, at the direction of, or in association with any criminal gang, read with Section 9(1)(a) Act 121 of 1998. 

All the sentences will run concurrently.

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In a released statement by the South African Police Service, Captain Mavela Masondo explained that on 2 September 2017 in Westbury, Raymond Jansen was shot and killed by Varado gang members Faldeen Sampie Marks and Kemal Zita. They also shot and injured two people during the same shooting incident.

“Two days later, on 4 September 2017 still in Westbury, Faldeen Marks and Kemal Zita fired shots that killed Ricardo Smith while injuring three other victims. Police arrested both suspects and Provincial Commercial Crime Investigation Unit carried out the investigation and gathering necessary evidence that led to the successful conviction and sentencing of the suspects,” said Masondo.

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Masondo added that Faldeen Marks is serving 274 years in prison after he was convicted of numerous murders in relation to gangster violence. Provincial Commissioner of the police in Gauteng, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela commended the Provincial Commercial Crime Investigation Unit member, Sergeant Antonio Chrispian Moutrey, on building a watertight case that ultimately led to the successful conviction and sentencing of the gang members.

“This is the result of a committed, hardworking, and dedicated investigating officer. Combating gang-related crime remains a priority of the SAPS in Gauteng and such a sentence will send a strong message to those who are still involved in gangsterism often associated with serious and violent crime,” said Mawela.

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