George 'Geweld' Thomas and his 17 co-accused face more than 140 charges including murder.

CAPE TOWN - A High Court judge continues to deliver judgement against an alleged Cape Town gang boss accused of ordering hits on potential witnesses in his trial.

George 'Geweld' Thomas and 17 co-accused face more than 140 charges dating back as far as 2006.

Some of the accused were acquitted on 25 charges in March last year due to a lack of evidence.

Defence advocate Janos Mihalik said his client, Thomas, is a victim of a personal campaign run by police and gang members to discredit him.

Mihalik believes the state's charges won't stick.

"Ninety percent of the charges against 'Geweld' involve him being in prison and telling somebody to shoot another. It's impossible, why would somebody do it?"

The prosecution has told the court Thomas has been awaiting trial since 2008, and is believed to have orchestrated the murder of more than a dozen people from behind bars.

The state has placed several witnesses and their families in witness protection after two people were killed shortly after testifying.

Six witnesses have already been killed during the course of the investigation and trial.

Note from editor: This story has been edited for greater clarity on when Thomas was acquitted of the 25 charges.