KEY POINTS
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A fifth suspect, a 20-year-old male, has been arrested in connection with the gang-related shooting of an accused man inside Wynberg Magistrate’s Court in April.
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The suspects, allegedly affiliated with the Junky Funky Kidz gang, face charges of premeditated murder, gang activity, and possession of illegal firearms.
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The brazen courthouse hit has sparked urgent calls for improved security in judicial buildings and intensified efforts to combat gang violence in Cape Town.
Police have arrested a fifth suspect in connection with the courtroom shooting that left an accused man dead inside the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court on April 8.
The 20-year-old male suspect, described by police as a “key figure” in the case, is expected to join four co-accused for a court appearance on Friday.
According to police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa, the arrest marks a significant development in the investigation, which has now seen five people taken into custody. “As the investigation unfolded police indicated they had their sights on a number of suspects whom they believed were behind the shooting,” she stated.
The attack, which stunned court staff and onlookers, targeted 50-year-old Dingalomoya Chintso, a former taxi owner who was facing charges of murder and the illegal possession of a firearm at the time of his death. Gunmen managed to bypass courthouse security and fatally shot Chintso before fleeing the scene.
Authorities link suspects to Cape Town street gang
Investigators believe the attack was a carefully orchestrated hit involving the Junky Funky Kidz gang, one of several violent criminal organizations operating in the Western Cape. Prosecutors allege that the five accused — Shireen Matthews (35), Abubaker Adams (24), Brian Booysen (34), Wanay Fararo (22), and the newly arrested 20-year-old — conspired to eliminate Chintso as part of gang-related retaliation.
According to Sowetanlive, the suspects face charges of premeditated murder, aiding and abetting criminal gang activity, and the illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
Sources within the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) have indicated that intelligence reports tied the accused to a pattern of gang-related violence dating back several years, including incidents involving extortion, intimidation, and previous targeted killings.
The courthouse shooting has raised broader concerns over security protocols at judicial buildings. Legal professionals have urged the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development to increase on-site security, including enhanced screening measures and improved surveillance systems.
Community leaders in Wynberg and nearby areas have echoed those concerns, calling for urgent reforms. “Our courts must be safe spaces where justice can unfold without fear. This brazen attack is not only a crime against one man but an attack on the integrity of our justice system,” said Yusuf Hendricks, a spokesperson for the Southern Suburbs Residents Association.
As the suspects prepare to appear again in court this Friday, police have not ruled out the possibility of further arrests. Investigators continue to analyze evidence, including security footage and forensic data, to trace additional suspects who may have played supporting roles in the planning and execution of the hit.
The Western Cape has long battled gang violence, with over 130 known gangs operating across the province. According to recent SAPS statistics, gang-related crimes remain a top contributor to the region’s high murder rate. Initiatives like Operation Shanela, a police-led crackdown on gang activity, have led to hundreds of arrests, but the persistence of gang influence in public institutions remains a growing challenge.
“We are committed to bringing all those responsible to justice,” Potelwa said. “This was not only an attack on a person but a violation of the sanctity of our legal system.”
The public is urged to come forward with any information that could assist the investigation, with law enforcement assuring confidentiality and protection for whistleblowers.
