IN handing down her judgment in the murder case of little Emaan Solomons from Ocean View, Western Cape High Court Judge Gayaat Da Silva Salie described how a peaceful day filled with laughter of children playing in the street was disrupted by the sound of gunshots.
Tears flowed in court on Monday as Eben Basson and Chivargo Fredericks were convicted of Emaan’s murder.
Basson and Fredericks stormed out of the dock as Judge Da Silva Salie handed down her judgment, later openly hurling abuse at the detectives and the media.
The judge questioned why they had left and ruled that proceedings would commence in their absence as the case was postponed to 17 April for sentencing proceedings.
The duo, who are alleged members of the Junky Funky Kidz gang in Ocean View, were busted by the Anti-Gang Unit and charged with killing Emaan in front of her home during a shooting on February 25, 2020 amid a gang war.
They were slapped with various charges, including murder, attempted murder, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition and charges under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act.
During the trial, it was revealed that Basson and Fredericks were allegedly trying to shoot members of a rival gang at the time.
Her death sparked outrage in the community, and during a vigil, angry residents burned down five homes they believed were occupied by alleged drug merchants.
During court proceedings, the duo pleaded not guilty.
Addressing the court Monday, Judge Da Silva Salie explained after an inspection in loco at the crime scene, members of the opposing gang known as the Tailor Gang as well as eye witnesses took to the witness stand as they explained what they saw on the day.
She said the peaceful day filled with laughter of children playing in the street was disrupted with the sound of gunshots.
Judge Da Silva Salie said she considered various aspects of the evidence presented to court and found that the duo were guilty of the murder of Emaan and the attempted murders of four others. They were also found guilty on firearm related charges but acquitted on the POCA charges.
Speaking outside court, mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said: “I was relieved to witness the High Court deliver a guilty verdict in the trial of the gangsters responsible for the brutal killing of little Emaan.
“No amount of jail time can bring back Emaan, but I hope this sends a message to those gangsters in Cape Town who show no respect for human life, let alone the lives of little children.”
Cape Times