WESTERN CAPE – The Khayelitsha Priority Court sentenced Moegsien Haywood (64) on 12 December 2022 for charges of possession of prohibited firearm, money laundering and gang-related offences in terms of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA) after entering into a plea agreement with the State.

The excellent investigation by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime investigation team ensured that Haywood serves an effective 14 years direct imprisonment. On 15 May 2019, information was received from a source that Haywood was looking to buy an AK-47 assault rifle and hand grenades. As a result of this information, an operation was initiated where a transaction was conducted between the suspect and the police. During the operation, four suspects were arrested and five 9mm semi-automatic pistols were recovered from the suspects. Further, two vehicles valued at R180 000-00 as well as cash used for the transaction to the amount of R17 000-00 were recovered.

Haywood was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for each of the five counts of illegal possession of prohibited firearm and nine years’ imprisonment for money laundering of which five years on each count was suspended to five years. The preservation and confiscation order was executed where all the above mentioned seized items were forfeited to the State.

The court ordered that all counts are to run concurrently where the accused will serve an effective 14 years direct imprisonment. The case against the three accused was remanded to 19 January 2023 for further trial and they are out on warning.

The Provincial Head of the Western Cape, Major General Mathipa Makgato commended the Investigation team and the National Prosecuting Authority for the excellent job in securing a sentence.

Source: South African Police Service