The accused implicated in the "Barney trial" have pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
Image: Sandi Kwon Hoo
THE ACCUSED implicated in the “Hollanders gang” trial pleaded not guilty to all charges in the Northern Cape High Court this week.
The list of allegations against the 17 accused has grown from an initial 56 to 117 charges.
Several State witnesses have been placed under the care of the investigating officer to ensure their protection and co-operation.
The trial got off to a staggered start this week when the alleged gang leader, George “Barney” Peters, 32, fell ill and had to consult a doctor on March 17.
Peters and his co-accused - Britney Arends, 22, Stephanie McAnda, 21, Simone Rose, 29, Chinaaz Mentoor, 21, Abigail van Wyk, 22, Chane Adams, 27, Michael Peters, 37, Clive Peters, 42, Deon May, 38, Pamerston Mentoor, 30, Henry Blom, 28, Thabo Sekapano, 38, Vincent Rosen, 33, Tshepo Malambi, 27, Nico Hofuza, 29, and Shawn Smith, 24 – face a multitude of charges, including murder, attempted murder, gang activity, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, discharge of a firearm in a built-up area, public violence, money laundering, defeating the ends of justice, assault, kidnapping, fraud, and dealing in drugs.
The majority of the alleged incidents took place between August 2020 and February 2023 in Kimberley and Kuruman.
Among the individuals they allegedly attempted to kill are a police officer, a four-year-old boy, a four-year-old girl, a 15-year-old boy, and suspected rival gang leader Rodger Johnson, who was shot outside the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court in December 2020.
They were also charged with contravening the Prevention of Organised Crime Act and racketeering.
An amount of R1.3 million was paid into an accused’s bank account through alleged proceeds of unlawful activities, including murder, fraud, and defeating the ends of justice. The money was later deposited into various bank accounts and cellphone holder accounts belonging to the co-accused.
The accused also face charges for allegedly orchestrating the murder of one of Barney’s many "sister wives", Dameline Jacqueline Albertus, to claim fraudulent life insurance policies.
Following her death in Kuruman on July 11, 2021, several life insurance policies were claimed on her name, including a R2 million policy from FNB Life Insurance, R5 million from Discovery Life Insurance, R1 million from Absa, R4 million from Liberty Life Insurance, R5 million from Outsurance, R1.5 million and R1.3 million from Sanlam, R1.2 million from Assupol, and R5.4 million from All Life Insurance
According to the charges, the accused were not the lawful beneficiaries of the policies.
Several of the "sister wives" who appeared in the Northern Cape High Court this week.
Image: Sandi Kwon Hoo
Another of Barney's wives was allegedly kidnapped, raped, assaulted, and cut with a knife in 2023.
Hawks Northern Cape spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Tebogo Thebe said the accused were arrested in Kimberley and Kuruman in May 2023 during a multi-disciplinary operation involving the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation and Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team, Provincial Serious Organised Crime, and Crime Prevention units.
“One of the accused was found in possession of mandrax tablets and an undisclosed amount of money, which were confiscated. An additional case was laid against Smith for dealing in drugs,” said Thebe.
He added that members of the Kimberley Serious Organised Crime Investigating team successfully opposed bail for most of the accused.
“Only two accused, Chanaaz Mentor and Henry Blom, were granted bail in October 2023 after a lengthy bail application process. Other members of the group were arrested at different times and locations, including accomplices Deon May, Clive Peters, Nico Hofuza, Pameston Mentoor, and Tshepo Malambi,” Thebe stated.
The case continues before Judge Almé Stanton.
The accused charged in connection with alleged gang activity have denied any involvement.
Image: Sandi Kwon Hoo