MyPE

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Upstand Dogs sentenced

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Three gangsters affiliated to the “Upstand Dogs” were sentenced on Thursday morning in the Port Elizabeth High court for various charges after they were arrested for a housebreaking which took place on 1 June 2013 in Seaview Port Elizabeth.

On 1 June 2013, during the early hours of the morning, Cedric Johnson (29), Rodwell Peters (31), Oscar Alexander (31) and Allan De Sousa (age unknown) broke into a house in Seaview. The complainant (37 years) was threatened at gunpoint and tied up. The woman managed to press the panic button and alerted the security company. Within minutes, a security guard responded and saw the suspects in the house. The guard kicked opened the door and one of the accused pointed a firearm at him. The guard fired at the accused. Allan De Sousa was fatally injured. The three accused were arrested. Rodwell Peters was shot three times.

The accused remained in custody until the finalisation of the case.

They were sentenced as follows:

  • Cedric Johnson: Housebreaking with intent to rob and robbery: 15 years, Kidnapping: 5 years, Unlawful possession of firearm: 3 years, Murder: 15 years. The kidnapping, unlawful possession of firearm and 5 years of the murder sentence will run concurrently with the housebreaking with intent to rob and robbery sentence. Johnson will thus serve 25 years in prison.
  • Rodwell Stanton Peters: Housebreaking with intent to rob and robbery: 15 years, Kidnapping: 5 years, Murder: 15 years. The kidnapping and 5 years of the murder sentence will run concurrently with the housebreaking with intent to rob and robbery sentence. Peters will serve an effective 25 years in prison.
  • Oscar Alexander:  Housebreaking with intent to rob and robbery: 15 years,  Kidnapping: 5 years,  Murder: 15 years. The kidnapping and 5 years of the murder sentence will run concurrently with the housebreaking with intent to rob and robbery sentence. Alexander will serve an effective 25 years in prison.

Although the accused did not shoot their accomplice De Sousa, the judge found that the fact that they had made a joint decision to rob the complainant while armed with a firearm they foresaw the possibility that someone could be shot.

The Detective Commander of SAPS Kabega Park at the time, Major Mike Grobler was present at court and he welcomed the sentencing as the investigation involved a team effort of investigators and they had worked extremely hard to ensure that the accused persons remained in custody throughout the investigation. The convictions result in justice for the victim concerned and the community feel safer when perpetrators are incarcerated especially these three accused as they are gang members. The sentences augurs very well for the police because it shows that through dedication and thorough investigation of the case, resulted in these lengthy sentences.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.