28s gang boss 'Geweld' moved from WC prison after public outcry, says Groenewald

CAPE TOWN - Correctional Service Minister Pieter Groenewald said that notorious 28s prison gang leader, George "Geweld" Thomas, has been moved from the Helderstroom Prison following public outcry.

It's understood that Thomas was transferred from Ebongweni Prison in Kokstad to Helderstroom Prison in Caledon last week.

Anti-crime organisations in the Western Cape raised concerns that gang violence on the Cape Flats would increase if Thomas was kept in a nearby prison.

Groenewald said that after his meeting with concerned communities, Thomas was moved to a different maximum-security facility.

The minister said that he would continue to engage on concerns and possible interventions to minimise the presence of bad actors in communities ridden with gang-related violence.
 
"This intervention followed an outcry from community leaders due to the high risk his presence would possibly pose in communities of the Western Cape. The department will also urgently investigate the matter thoroughly to identify the reasons for the prisoner’s irregular movement."