Prison transfer of gangster ‘Geweld’ has Cape Flats community worried

Correctional Services Minister Pieter Groenewald has intervened in what he says is an irregular prison transfer of the leader of the 28s prison gang, George “Geweld” Thomas, following community complaints.

The department says it has also launched an investigation into the transfer from the Kokstad Maximum Prison in KwaZulu-Natal to the Helderstroom Maximum Security Prison at Caledon in the Western Cape.

During an engagement with the Cape Crime Crisis Coalition, the community raised fears of an escalation in violence due to Thomas’ proximity to the gang ravaged Cape Flats communities.

Ministerial spokesperson Eune Oelofsen says the 28s gang leader has again been transferred to another maximum facility, which they will not disclose.

The feared 28s leader was sentenced by the Western Cape High Court in 2015 to an effective 175-years imprisonment for a slew of crimes including seven murders, attempted murders, housebreaking, belonging to a gang, theft, racketeering and conspiracy to commit crimes.