Jamiel ‘Charra’ Jacobs, a key figure in the Flakka gang, was recently handed a 120-year sentence by the High Court in Cape Town.
Cape court hands Jamiel ‘Charra’ James 120 years imprisonment
The ruling, handed down on Friday, 12 April 2024, marked the culmination of a lengthy investigation by the Anti-Gang Unit (AGU) into gang violence in the Muizenberg area five years ago.
Jacobs was arrested in 2019 in a security complex in Paarl by the AGU and was convicted on multiple counts, including two life sentences for murder and attempted murder, and various terms for other crimes including unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
Charra, alongside other leading members of the Flakka gang, including Simone Gordon and Dillon Walker, instilled fear in the Muizenberg community through gang-related activities and violent crimes.
Jacobs, identified as the gang’s leader, was pivotal in their operations which predominantly included random shootings and killings of rival gang members, alongside illicit trading in drugs and firearms.
In a statement, the Western Cape police management expressed approval of the severe penalties imposed on members of the Flakka gang, describing the ruling as “a deterrent to those involved In gang activities in this province.”
“The provincial commissioner of the Western Cape, Lt Gen Thembisile Patekile had nothing but praise for the diligence and commitment of the investigating officer and those who had assisted him in bringing these key figures in the gang-world to book,” police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Malcolm Pojie.
Who is ‘Charra’? – Here’s what we know about his crime spree
According to court records, Jamiel ‘Charra’ Jacobs became a notorious figure in local crime following the death of John Adams, the leader of the Junky Funky Kids gang, in 2017.
Post Adams’ assassination, allegedly by his own gang, Charra formed the Flakka Boys and initiated revenge attacks against the Funky gang members.
One of the earliest attacks under his leadership occurred in December 2017, when his gang opened fire on rivals in Steenberg. Later that month, in a tragic turn of personal conflict, Charra murdered his girlfriend Tyline Cunningham over a financial dispute.
This marked the beginning of a violent streak that saw the deaths of eight individuals, including an elderly man, and the attempted murders of six others.
Jacobs, along with associates Simone Gordon and Jamiel Daniels, was also implicated in smuggling operations to deliver drugs to prisoners.
They were apprehended outside the Muizenberg Magistrate’s Court with various narcotics hidden ingeniously within everyday items. Their arrest by the AGU led to further charges of drug trafficking.
Ultimately, Jacobs’ extensive criminal activities culminated in his recent conviction and sentencing