Western Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General (Adv) Thembisile Patekile, has commended the investigating and prosecution teams for their diligent work in securing convictions in a high-profile Lavender Hill shooting case that claimed the life of a 5-year-old child and left a 22-year-old man seriously injured.
The tragic incident occurred on 21 December 2019, when two armed suspects entered a premises in Drury Court, Lavender Hill, and opened fire. The attack resulted in the death of the young child and severe injuries to the adult victim. The case was swiftly taken over by the Anti-Gang Unit detectives, who worked tirelessly to track down the perpetrators.
Their efforts bore fruit when, on 23 December 2019, two suspects—Carlo Hoffmeester (30) and Chadwin Isaacs (34)—were arrested. They made their first court appearance at the Wynberg Magistrates’ Court, where bail was successfully opposed. The case was later transferred to the Cape Town High Court for trial.
After a lengthy legal process, the two were found guilty on 5 June 2025 on multiple charges, including:
-
Murder (under the Prevention of Organized Crime Act, POCA)
-
Eight counts of attempted murder
-
Unlawful possession of a firearm
-
Unlawful possession of ammunition
On Tuesday, 17 June 2025, the court handed down its sentence:
-
Life imprisonment for the murder charge
-
90 years for the attempted murders
-
5 years for the POCA violation
-
5 years for illegal firearm possession
-
3 years for illegal ammunition possession
The sentences will run concurrently with the life term, ensuring the convicted men remain behind bars for the rest of their lives.
Lieutenant General Patekile praised the law enforcement and legal teams for their commitment to justice, stating that the ruling sends a strong message against gang-related violence in the Western Cape.