Western Cape High Court Sentences Fast Guns Gang Members for Murder of Valentino Grootetjie

• Two members of the Fast Guns gang in the Cape Flat in Cape Town will be spending a long time in prison for a brutal murder
• They have been given life sentences for killing five-year-old Valentine Grootetjie, who was caught in the crossfire
• The gruesome incident happened in December 2019, and South Africans celebrated the sentence

Tebogo Mokwena, a Briefly News current affairs journalist based in Johannesburg, South Africa, covered a range of criminal activities, including cash-in-transit heists, kidnappings, taxi violence, police investigations, police shootouts, and court cases at Daily Sun for over three years.

CAPE TOWN, WESTERN CAPE — Two members of the Fast Gun gang were sentenced to life imprisonment on 17 June 2025 in the Western Cape High Court in Cape Town for the murder of a little boy, Valentino Grootetjie. South Africans welcomed the sentence.

Gangsters sent to prison for life

According to IOL, Carlo Hofmeester and Chadwin Isaacs were found guilty and convicted of murder, contravening the Prevention of Organised Crime Act, attempted murder, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. The duo was arrested in December 2019 after a gunfight with another gang, the Mongrels.

Gang members target Mongrels member

On that fateful day, members of the gang gathered in Drury Court, in Lavender Hill, a known Mongrel territory, at a drug den where they smoked and socialised. Suddenly, members of the Fast Gun gang appeared and started shooting at the gang members with the intent to kill one of the members. The member was conversing with a woman who was visiting Valentino's family.

Valentino was playing with his younger brother outside the yard when the shooting began. Hoofmeester ran after the gang member. One of the neighbours warned the people in the yard of Hoofmeester's murderous intent. He tried to close the gate, but Hoofmeester grabbed him. He managed to slip from his grasp and escape.

Valentino shot and killed

Valentino was in the yard when chaos ensued and the gang members started shooting. He tried to shield his two-year-old brother after Hoofmeester opened the gate and started firing shots in the yard where Valentino was. He was shot in the head, dying instantly. Isaacs also fired shots in the yard and escaped with Hoofmeester.

Gangsters who were convicted

Four members of the notorious Laughing Boys Gang were sentenced to life imprisonment in 2023 for murder, dealing in drugs, and the possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.

Gang members of a Bushbuckridge gang received life sentences for five murders committed in 2020 and 2021. The members killed four family members in Madras and one gang member, and one of them was out on parole when he committed the murder.

What did South Africans say?

Netizens commenting on IOL's Facebook page celebrated the sentence.

Norma Karsten said:

"I heard they are going to live in the crocodile's den."

Lance Muscat said:

"Shouldn't have taken over five years to bring them to book."

Senzo Mthembu said:

"Good shot. They will be fast inside prison."

Renette Moses said:

"Thank you, Jesus. May they receive no parole."

Richard Thomas said:

"Well done, judge. Great sentence."

KwaZulu-Natal gangster killed in shootout

In a related article, Briefly News reported that the South African Police Service killed a gang member who was wanted for murder in Verulam in KwaZulu-Natal in January 2025.

The police pounced on his whereabouts and announced their presence. He and his fellow gang members opened fire, and the police shot back. He was shot and killed.

Source: Briefly News