Two men sentenced in connection with 2021 murder at Roodepoort automobile event

Roodepoort police station is commending their detectives for a job well done.

Sergeant Hamilton Mathope and his team helped to secure lengthy sentences for two young men involved in the murder of a man at an automotive street performance in June 2021. One man was killed and two others injured when the three men from Westbury were shot at a ‘spinning’ event at a brickyard on Randfontein Road. The two suspects were swiftly arrested and a conviction was obtained in January 2022, with the sentence being handed down at a sitting of the High Court in Palm Ridge on November 9.

The two accused were convicted of several charges including murder and the unlawful possession of an illegal firearm. Accused one, Beugan Marks, was found guilty on three charges, one of murder and two of attempted murder. Accused number two, Kade Jonosky, was found guilty of two charges, one for the unlawful possession of a firearm and another for the unlawful possession of ammunition.

The 28-year-old Marks was convicted of being the man who, using his own registered firearm, gunned down Keagan Brierley. Marks was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder as well as two additional sentences of 15 years imprisonment each for attempted murder, sentences Marks will serve concurrently. His accomplice, 22-year-old Jonosky, was sentenced to 10 years for the unlawful possession of a firearm while the three year sentence for the unlawful ammunition will run concurrently.

Marks was arrested at Leratong Hospital shortly after the incident after being injured by fellow event attendees while fleeing the scene. Jonosky had been on the run following the shooting but was tracked by Roodepoort detectives within a week. Using a thorough network of informants, an arrest was coordinated via Roodepoort Crime Intelligence at an undisclosed location on the outskirts of Johannesburg.

Sergeant Mathope described the investigation as smooth and efficient owing to the assistance of colleagues Warrant Officer Godfrey Shilaluke, Sergeant Pfarelo Muthathi, support teams and crime intelligence. “It feels good, especially when the family is happy. We are very proud of the outcome,” said Sergeant Mathope, who has been with Roodepoort police for 17 years.

The family of the victims were integral in securing justice as they shared vital information with detectives and Sergeant Mathope who relays how he spent hours on the phone with the family, following up on all pieces of information. Roodepoort police spokesperson, Captain Juanita Yorke, thanked the detectives on behalf of the station for their hard work and dedication.

Sergeant Mathope insisted that it was a team effort, saying, “We would like to thank the management of the station. Our commanders give us great support and their continued leadership of the members is greatly valued”.

The cooperation of the community and their willingness to share information is a prized asset, as Sergeant Mathupe stated, “We must give thanks to the community. We could not crack these cases without their invaluable assistance”.