Former 28s gang boss allegedly gunned down in Boksburg

A man understood to be the former boss of the 28s gang in the Western Cape, Ernie “Lastig” Solomon, was allegedly shot and killed in Boksburg on Friday 20 November 2020. 

Gauteng police are searching for four suspects following the shooting incident on Friday in Boksburg. Another three people, including a child, were injured.

FORMER GANG BOSS KILLED, THREE OTHERS INJURED 

It is reported that a white Ford Ranger bumped and intercepted a white BMW with four occupants inside. 

“Two armed men allegedly alighted from the Ford Ranger and started shooting at the car, fatally wounding one, while three victims, including a child, were airlifted to hospital for urgent medical attention,” said Captain Kay Makhubele. 

“The suspects allegedly then abandoned the Ford Ranger on the scene and fled in a getaway car with unknown description and unknown registration number. The motive for the shooting is yet to be determined,” said Makhubele. 

Police are investigating cases of murder and attempted murder. We are appealing to anyone who might have information that can lead to the arrest of the suspects to call the nearest police station or the crime stop number 08600 10111.

There have been reports that two of the three injured persons succumbed to their injuries in hospital, however, Makhubele could not confirm this on Saturday. 

SOLOMONS AND SON ALLEGEDLY ATTACKED IN WESTERN CAPE SIX MONTHS AGO

Roughly six months ago, in May, the former gang boss, as well as his son, was injured after an attack in the fishing village of Hawston in the Western Cape. 

According to the Daily Maverick, Solomon has been closely linked to organised crime and gangsterism. In the mid-1990s he was among a group that started a Community Outreach, better known as Core, in Cape Town. According to the publication, others involved in Core had included Rashied Staggie and brothers Michael and Jerome “Donkie” Booysen. 

“Then in 2013, Solomon was the focus of a film, A Lucky Man, about his life, and in the following years, dabbled in music and launched a few albums. About two years later he was reported to be a Khoi chief,” it said. 

A Facebook page, believed to be that of the former gang boss, shared a message on Wednesday 18 November — just two days before his death — reading; 

“Looking at my life today, where I was, what I am now, what I went through…I believe it was just grace. Amen, thank you, Lord.” 

On Friday comments started to emerge on the Facebook page reading “RIP Ernest” and “RIP Uncle Ernie”.