FOUR GET LIFE: Gang members mang for murder of Vinchernico Theron

JUSTICE: Murder victim Vinchernico Theron

Image: File

FOUR members of the Wonder Boys gang have been sentenced to life imprisonment for the brutal 2021 murder of Mitchells Plain man Vinchernico Theron.

The 20-year-old from Tafelsig was repeatedly burned with boiling water and subjected to torture after being falsely accused of stealing a firearm.

Theron was last seen on 6 June 2021 after collecting lunch from his home.

His mother, Charmaine Curtis, reported him missing at Mitchells Plain Police Station two days later after learning that he had allegedly been kidnapped.

His body was never found.

10 gang members - Wayne Jacobs, Thomas van der Merwe, Lee Malan, Zakier Abrahams, Jaden Abrahams, Keenan Coetzee, Miche Jacobs, Veronica de Jongh, Jonathan Beukes and Faizel Manuel - were charged with murder.

On Thursday, 3 September 2026, the Western Cape High Court, sitting in Cape Town, sentenced Jacobs, Van der Merwe, Malan and Abrahams to effective life imprisonment after convicting them of murder and related offences.

Abrahams was sentenced to an effective 25 years’ direct imprisonment and Coetzee received 22 years.

Jacobs was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment, while De Jongh received 12 years for her role in the crimes.

Beukes and Manuel were acquitted of murder, two counts of kidnapping and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm. They were, however, convicted of defeating the ends of justice and each sentenced to an effective eight years’ direct imprisonment.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said evidence showed that Theron had been abducted by members of the Wonder Boys gang after being wrongly accused of stealing a firearm belonging to the gang.

“The accused abducted Theron after wrongly suspecting him of stealing a firearm belonging to the gang,” Ntabazalila said.

Jacobs allegedly instructed gang members to take Theron and Leon Paulse to Jacobs’ house on Drakenstein Street, Tafelsig, Mitchells Plain.

The pair were subjected to prolonged torture, with Jacobs allegedly declaring that one of them would die.

Paulse was later released after his father intervened and pleaded for his son’s freedom.

The court heard that Theron was repeatedly burned with boiling water during the assault.

According to the NPA, Jacobs repeatedly boiled water and supplied it to the gang members carrying out the attack.

At one stage, Abrahams ripped skin from Theron’s severely burnt abdomen.

As Theron’s condition deteriorated, De Jongh allegedly said he should be killed because he was already close to death.

Abrahams and Coetzee later removed the severely injured Theron from the house and handed him to Beukes and Manuel.

Beukes and Manuel placed Theron in a wheelie bin and disposed of his body.

His remains have never been recovered.

The NPA said the prosecution demonstrated that perpetrators of serious gang-related offences could be held accountable.

Ntabazalila said: “The successful prosecution demonstrates the criminal justice system’s commitment to holding perpetrators accountable and securing justice for victims and their families.

“The sentences imposed by the court, which reflect the gravity of the crimes committed and send a clear message that gang-related violence, kidnapping, torture, and murder will not be tolerated.”

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