Today, in the Port Elizabeth High Court, Marcus Malgas (24 years) was convicted on 11 counts as follows:
- One count of murder;
- Eight counts of attempted murder;
- One count relating to the unlawful possession of a firearm; and
- One count relating to the unlawful possession of ammunition.
The background to these charges is that on the evening of 18 October 2015, Enslin Russel (23 years) and a friend, (20 years) were walking in Stanford Road, Helenvale, when Malgas approached them, firing shots at Russel. Russel sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was certified dead on arrival at a hospital (Count 1, Murder).
On 3 November 2015 at 15:00, as Jonathan Davids (28 years) was driving in Reginald Road, Helenvale, the accused, Marcus Malgas, fired shots at the car he was driving. A bystander, Trevor Ruiters (30 years), who was standing further up the road, was shot and taken to hospital for treatment (Count 2, Attempted Murder).
Davids then proceeded to fetch his mother, Sarah Davids, and his five children (aged 12 year, 10 years, eight years, three years and five months) and whilst driving with them in the car in Reginald Road, Malgas approached them and fired several shots at the vehicle. Jonathan Davids was wounded in the upper thigh (Counts 3 to 9, Attempted Murder).
Malgas was arrested and charged on 15 December 2015.
Arguments in respect of sentencing were heard in the Port Elizabeth High Court today and sentencing is scheduled to take place on Tuesday 31 May 2016.
The conviction of Malgas is regarded being a significant victory for the Operation Lockdown investigation team, which was established by the Minister of Police and the Acting National Commissioner of the SAPS to combat gang-related violence and criminal activities in the Northern Areas of Port Elizabeth.
Between 11 March and 22 May 2016, Operation Lockdown has seen 285 people being arrested on charges relating to a range of offences including murder, attempted murder, possession of and dealing in drugs, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, possession of stolen motor vehicles, common robbery and driving under the influence of alcohol. Investigations into offences which occurred prior to this period were also intensified with a solid partnership being formed between the South African Police Service and the National Prosecuting Authority.
“We will continue to exert lawful pressure on those responsible for making life hell for communities through their violent and criminal activities in PE’s Northern Areas,” said the Deputy National Commissioner responsible for National Management Interventions, Lieutenant General Gary Kruser, on hearing the news of this conviction today. He congratulated the entire team and urged them to continue to ensure that #CrimeMustFall through getting back to the basics of proactive policing and the investigation of crime.
Alan Straton
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