On Monday, Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis attended the trial of two men accused of killing a seven-year-old girl during an alleged gang crossfire four years ago, Cape {town} Etc reports.
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Eben Basson and Chivargo Fredericks are suspected members of the Junky Funky Kids gang. They stand accused of shooting Emaan Solomons in the chest and hand while she played outside her home in Ocean View in February 2020.
‘Four years later, the alleged killers and gang members are finally facing justice for her tragic and brutal murder,’ Hill-Lewis said.
‘When I met this family months ago, their story was just heart-shattering, especially as a parent of a young daughter of similar age. Still, this family manages to be generous and warm-hearted. They are remarkable people.’
‘To lose a child in these horrific circumstances is something a parent should never have to experience. My heart goes out to Emaan’s family, who have waited a long time — nearly four years — for this trial to get underway.’
‘I was glad to be able to support them this morning at the court and to convey that the city is behind them and that as parents ourselves, we deeply feel their pain.’
‘We are closely watching this trial, and we pray for justice to be done and for the harshest possible sentence to be meted out to Emaan’s killers. We join the community of Ocean View and the family in demanding justice for Emaan.’
He reiterated that the City of Cape Town aims to help police in the fight against gang, gun and drug crime. ‘It is families like Emaans who inspire and drive us to get up every day and do our part to make Cape Town safer so that no family has to suffer this deep pain of loss in such a tragic way.’
‘Emaan’s was not a senseless killing — it was a calculated one — because gangsters know there are innocent people going about their daily life throughout the communities being terrorised by their actions.’
‘Children should be able to play safely in the streets and people should not live in daily fear of crime in their neighbourhoods.’
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Picture: Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis / Facebook