The Minister of Correctional Services Pieter Groenewald has intervened in the transfer of the leader of the 28s prison gang, George “Geweld” Thomas to the Helderstroom Prison.

His intervention followed outcry from community leaders due to the high risk his presence would possibly pose in communities of the Western Cape.

Thomas, who had been held at a facility in Kokstad, was moved to Helderstroom last week, but was quickly diverted to another maximum-security facility outside of the Western Cape.

Groenewald says he will probe why the decision was made in the first place to move Thomas to the province, calling the movement ”irregular.”

The Minister has emphasized the need for community engagement in these cases.

Groenewald’s intervention came after he held a meeting with community representatives of the Cape Crime Crisis Coalition on Tuesday.

He says as part of the engagement, they discussed ways to minimise the presence of ”bad actors in communities ridden with gang-related violence.”

“We will work with communities on an ongoing basis to improve the system and maximise the positive change it can bring to vulnerable communities.”

The Cape Crime Crisis Coalition had expressed concern after receiving information that Thomas had risen in gang ranks and commanded all the 28s around the country, with fears of an all out gang war emerging.

George “Geweld” Thomas was found guilty of 53 charges in 2015, including seven murders. He was sentenced to 7 life terms behind bard. Together with 16 co-accused, they had faced 166 gang related charges.

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