Four Wonder Boys gang members jailed for life after torture and murder over ‘stolen’ firearm

Four members of the Wonder Boys gang were handed life sentences by the Western Cape High Court in Cape Town after being convicted of the kidnapping, prolonged torture and murder of Vinchernico Theron, who had been falsely accused of stealing a firearm.

What the court found

The court convicted Wayne Jacobs, Thomas van der Merwe, Lee Malan and Zakier Abrahams of murder and related offences and imposed effective life terms. Evidence presented by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) showed that Theron was abducted after being wrongly suspected of stealing a firearm belonging to the gang.

“The accused abducted Theron after wrongly suspecting him of stealing a firearm belonging to the gang,”

Abduction, torture and disposal

Theron was last seen on 6 June 2021 after collecting lunch from his home. His mother, Charmaine Curtis, reported him missing at Mitchells Plain Police Station two days later.

The court heard that Miche Jacobs allegedly instructed gang members to take Theron and another man, Leon Paulse, to Wayne Jacobs’ house in Drakenstein Street, Tafelsig, Mitchells Plain. Paulse was later released after his father intervened.

The NPA said the assault included repeated burns with boiling water. The court heard that Miche Jacobs repeatedly boiled water and supplied it to the gang members carrying out the attack, and that at one stage Jaden Abrahams ripped skin from Theron’s severely burnt abdomen. As Theron’s condition worsened, Veronica de Jongh allegedly said he should be killed because he was close to death.

“The torture inflicted on Theron included repeated burns with boiling water,”

Abrahams and Keenan Coetzee later removed the severely injured Theron from the house and handed him to Jonathan Beukes and Faizel Manuel. Beukes and Manuel placed Theron in a wheelie bin and disposed of his body. Theron’s remains have never been recovered.

Sentences for other accused

In addition to the four life sentences, the court imposed the following terms:

• Jaden Abrahams – effective 25 years’ direct imprisonment
• Keenan Coetzee – 22 years
• Miche Jacobs – 20 years
• Veronica de Jongh – 12 years
• Jonathan Beukes and Faizel Manuel – acquitted of murder, two counts of kidnapping and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm; convicted of defeating the ends of justice and each sentenced to an effective eight years’ direct imprisonment

Prosecution and reaction

Senior State Advocate Steven Rubin led the prosecution and presented evidence from seven witnesses, including Theron’s mother. The NPA said Rubin successfully challenged the accuseds’ versions, showing inconsistencies with the State’s evidence.

The NPA highlighted the case as an example of holding perpetrators of serious gang-related offences to account. The authority said the prosecution demonstrated that perpetrators could be held accountable, adding:

“The successful prosecution demonstrates the criminal justice system’s commitment to holding perpetrators accountable and securing justice for victims and their families,”

“The sentences imposed by the court, which reflect the gravity of the crimes committed and send a clear message that gang-related violence, kidnapping, torture, and murder will not be tolerated,”

The NPA also praised the role players involved in the investigation and prosecution and said it would continue efforts to combat gang-related and organised crime.