Cape Town – In a show of solidarity and a quest for justice, Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis on Monday, (2 September 2024), attended the first day of the trial of two alleged gang members accused of fatally shooting Emaan Solomons.
The seven-year-old was caught in gang crossfire while playing in her street 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.
“When I met this family months ago, their story was just heart-shattering, especially as a parent of a young daughter of similar age,” said Mayor Hill-Lewis.
“Still, this family manages to be generous and warm-hearted.
“They are remarkable people.”
Emaan was playing in her yard in Libra Street when she was fatally hit in the chest and hand during gang crossfire.
Mayor Hill-Lewis said that losing a child in these horrific circumstances is something a parent should never have to experience.
Alleged members of the Junky Funky Kids gang, Eben Basson and Chivargo Fredericks are on trial for Emaan’s murder.
“My heart goes out to Emaan’s family, who have waited a long time – nearly four years – for this trial to get underway,” Mayor Hill-Lewis said.
“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’.
“It is families like Emaan’s 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.”
Mayor Hill-Lewis said children should be able to play safely in the streets, and people should not live in daily fear of crime in their neighbourhoods.
He said the City’s goal is to help the South African Police Service do much more, especially in the fight against gang, gun, and drug crime.
