Two suspected gang members who opened fire on police during a brazen shooting in Helenvale in 2019, were found guilty of murder and four counts of attempted murder in the Gqeberha High Court on Thursday.
Darryn Wentzel and Riaan Baartman opened fire on police on 7 November 2019, after first killing a civilian at an alleged drug post in Lawler Street, in Schauderville.
They instructed the driver of a Volkswagen Polo to speed away from the scene.
Less than ten minutes later, members of the specialised anti-gang unit spotted the accused' vehicle in Kobus Road, in Helenvale.
The officers instructed the men to pull over, but they sped off.
A high-speed chase ensued before the vehicle was brought to a standstill in Chamois Street, Helenvale.
This is where Wentzel and Baartman alighted from the vehicle and opened fire on police, who retaliated.
A police Constable was shot in the head before the men ran in the direction of "Die Gaat" and disappeared.
The shooting left the officer paralysed.
Throughout the trial, both men maintained their innocence and denied being members of the Kakdallers- and Boomshaka-affiliated gangs that operate in the Helenvale area.
The court found both men to be unreliable and dishonest witnesses who fabricated their alibi's.
Ballistic evidence proved that the firearm used in Schauderville was the same one used during the shooting with police.
Both men did not have any previous convictions.
They were acquitted on one count of attempted murder, two of contravening the Prevention of Organised Crime Act, one of the possession of an unlawful firearm, and one count of the unlawful possession of ammunition.
The defence has requested a probation officer's report in respect of both men.
State prosecutor Rafiq Ahmed prosecuted the case and Sergeant Xlo Peta is the investigating officer.
The case was remanded to 17 April.
