Life Sentences for Two Gang Members Convicted of Killing Pregnant Woman in South Africa

Two gang affiliates have received life sentences in prison for the murder of a young pregnant woman, along with additional penalties exceeding 100 years each.

The Western Cape High Court issued sentences for Jeremia Fortuin and Ricardo Cloete, both associated with the Ferodo gang, for the murder of 21-year-old Shahida Nathan and the attempted murder of six others.

At the time of the incident, Nathan was eight months pregnant.

According to Eric Ntabazalila, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority, the duo opened fire on a shack located in Scottsdene, Kraaifontein, in June 2020, mistakenly believing that rival gang members were inside.

Contrary to their assumption, Nathan and six others were present in the shack, enjoying a meal and snacks when the shooting occurred.

Nathan was killed in the incident, while two men aged 29 and 37 sustained injuries.

Ntabazalila detailed that, on that specific morning, Fortuin and Cloete observed two individuals, Alfredo Titus and Ridwaan Smith, who were affiliated with the Mobster gang, entering a yard at 30 Klipbok Street in Scottsdene and pursued them.

When the two men escaped into a main house, the accused believed they had sought refuge in the shack where Nathan and the others were gathered, enjoying their meal.

Cloete indicated the location of the shack to Fortuin, who was armed with an unlawful firearm. Fortuin subsequently discharged his weapon in the direction of the shack, convinced that rival gang members were within.

After the shooting, the two perpetrators fled the crime scene, leaving Nathan fatally injured and the two other men wounded.

Both Fortuin and Cloete denied their presence at the scene and pleaded not guilty, with Fortuin claiming intoxication from a party the previous night and Cloete saying he had been under the influence of drugs earlier that day.

The court, however, dismissed their defenses, affirming that the prosecution had established its case beyond a reasonable doubt.

The trial also included hearsay evidence, featuring statements from two deceased witnesses.

Fortuin faced ten charges, including murder and six counts of attempted murder, as well as being part of a gang and illegal possession of a firearm. He received a life sentence for murder and an additional 107 years.

Cloete was subject to similar charges, though excluding the firearm and ammunition charges, and was sentenced to life in prison alongside 96 years.

The court also determined that most of the supplementary sentences would run concurrently with the life terms.

Advocate Nicolette Bell, the Western Cape Director of Public Prosecutions, lauded the efforts of both the investigation and prosecution teams, noting that their work had resulted in the removal of two dangerous individuals from society.