Cape Town - A Durban arms dealer accused of selling firearms to Cape Flats gangs will go on trial in the Western Cape High Court this week, more than three years after he was busted by the Hawks.
Anderson Padayachee is set to stand trial on over 60 charges as the State alleges he supplied the guns to the notorious Terrible Josters gang.
At the time of the arrest in 2021, the Hawks revealed they seized 17 illegal firearms in George in transit from Johannesburg. Further investigation revealed the firearms were allegedly destined for Cape Town gangs. A further 44 firearms were seized from his business during the investigation.
According to the indictment, Padayachee is now facing eight murder charges and five attempted murder charges for shootings where the firearms he allegedly supplied were used.
According to the charge sheet, Padayachee is charged under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (Poca) for aiding criminal activities by the Terrible Josters gang in Kalksteenfontein and Bonteheuwel by unlawfully selling guns to them in 2018. It further states the arms dealer allegedly committed fraud on the firearms registry and supplied false information for the issuing of competency certificates.
The charge sheet also highlights various murders Padayachee is being charged with, including those of Anisto Dillon from Strand, Chad Julius from Lotus River, September Steyn from Strand, and Rivaldo Willeman from Valhalla Park. While Padayachee has not been fingered as the gunman in these cases, it is believed he is being charged with murder as he provided the guns used in the murders.
The Terrible Josters gang, which has strongholds in various Cape Town communities, was formerly led by Ernie “Lastig” Solomon, who was shot and killed several years ago.
In recent years, Solomon’s nephew, Horatio Solomon and several of his henchmen were convicted for a spate of shootings in Delft and other areas.
mahira.duval@inl.co.za
Cape Argus