The Western Cape High Court heard on Tuesday that a new State witness has implicated several of the accused in the trial of alleged crime boss Jerome Booysen and 10 others, saying he collected and delivered drugs and cash for the 27s gang following his initiation in 2015.
Witness testimony: locations and role
The witness, who is testifying under Section 204 and whose identity has been withheld, gave evidence that after his initiation into the 27s in 2015 he was involved in collecting and dropping off illicit substances and money on behalf of the gang. According to court reporting, he said he performed these tasks in Kraaifontein, the Rocklands area of Mitchells Plain, and Atlantis.
The witness, identified in court only as Mr B, told the State he had collected drugs from accused number 8, Typhyenne Jantjies, in Kraaifontein. He also said he and accused number 11, Kashief Hansloo, worked together to collect drugs and money in the areas listed.
Extent of knowledge about Booysen
When questioned about his knowledge of accused number 2, Jerome Booysen, the witness said he knew Booysen only through social media. Booysen and his co-accused face charges linked to the 2017 murder of steroids supplier Brian Wainstein and charges under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA).
The matter was postponed to Wednesday for the continuation of testimony.
Who the witness implicated
The State said the Section 204 witness implicated at least three of the accused as being members of the 27s gang. Aside from Booysen, Hansloo and Jantjies were named during the testimony.
- Accused 2: Jerome Booysen — known in reporting as the alleged crime boss in the trial.
- Accused 8: Typhyenne Jantjies — named by the witness as a supplier in Kraaifontein.
- Accused 11: Kashief Hansloo — named as a co-collector of drugs and money.
"Mr B" — the Section 204 witness in the Western Cape High Court — gave evidence about collecting drugs and money for the 27s following his initiation in 2015.
Background and legal context
The trial centres on allegations linking Booysen and others to organised criminal activity culminating in the killing of Brian Wainstein in 2017. The State has also brought charges under POCA, enabling prosecutors to pursue proceeds and instruments of organised crime beyond individual criminal counts.
Section 204 procedures are used in South African criminal trials when an accomplice or co-accused is expected to give evidence for the State. Such witnesses are often granted certain protections, including anonymity, to secure their testimony while ensuring the defendant's rights to a fair trial are preserved.
Local impact and what to watch for
The case has local resonance because it ties alleged gang networks to areas across the northern and southern suburbs of the Cape Metro and beyond. If the witness's testimony is corroborated by other evidence, it could strengthen the State's argument about organised operations and associations among the accused.
Observers should expect the continuation of testimony when the matter resumes on Wednesday. Defence teams are likely to test the witness's credibility, the circumstances under which his Section 204 agreement was reached, and any corroborative material linking accused persons to the acts described.
| Item | Detail from testimony |
|---|---|
| Witness status | Section 204 witness (identity withheld) |
| Alleged gang | 27s |
| Locations named | Kraaifontein; Rocklands (Mitchells Plain); Atlantis |
| Accused named in testimony | Jerome Booysen (accused 2) — known via social media; Typhyenne Jantjies (accused 8); Kashief Hansloo (accused 11) |
| Charges referenced | 2017 murder of Brian Wainstein; Prevention of Organised Crime Act charges |
The Western Cape High Court will need to weigh the protected witness evidence against documentary and forensic material, as well as oral testimony from other State witnesses. Defence strategy in such matters typically focuses on undermining the reliability and motives of Section 204 witnesses, and the courts have to balance witness safety with the accused's constitutional right to a fair hearing.
As the trial progresses, residents in the areas named may seek assurance that policing and community safety measures reflect any emerging investigative leads. For now, the court record shows the State has advanced a witness who places several accused within a network of drug collection and distribution — an assertion the defence will be expected to answer when hearings resume.
The matter was adjourned to Wednesday for further evidence.
