Two men found guilty of the murder of a seven-year-old girl from Ocean View, Emaan Solomons, was sentenced at the Western Cape High Court.
Eben Basson and Chivargo Fredericks were handed 35-year
direct imprisonment after deviating from the prescribed minimum sentence of
life imprisonment for the murder of little Emaan.
On 11 February 2025, the court convicted Basson and
Fredericks for Solomons’ murder, four counts of attempted murder, illegal
possession of a firearm and illegal possession of ammunition. Senior State Adv
John Ryneveld asked the court to sentence the two Junky Funky Kids (JFKs) gang
members to life imprisonment for the murder of the 7-year-old and long-term
direct imprisonment for the four attempted murders of Anees Davis, Marco Simon,
Michael Daniels and Oscar Daniels and illegal possession of a firearm and
illegal possession of ammunition.
Judge Gayaat Da Silva Salie sentenced the accused to 22
years' direct imprisonment for the murder after considering that they were
first offenders and had been in custody for five years awaiting trial. They
were sentenced to 5 years' direct imprisonment for each attempted murder, with
the court ordering the sentences to run concurrently. They were sentenced to an
effective 8-year direct imprisonment for the illegal possession of a firearm
and illegal possession of ammunition.
During the trial, Adv Ryneveld led evidence that on the
afternoon of 25 February 2020, the deceased and her friends engaged in their
ritual after a school ball game in a cul-de-sac in Libra Road, Oceanview, near
her home. A few adults were sitting in a vehicle enjoying the afternoon when
gunshots rang out. The deceased, her friends and the adults ran in different
directions seeking safety as bullets whizzed past them. She made it into her
home’s yard but collapsed in the front garden, a few metres from the front
door. Her mother found her lying wounded with a bullet on her back, which went
out through her chest. She also had a wound in her left hand. She was rushed to
a local hospital but was declared dead on arrival.
The accused were positively identified as the ones who were
chasing and shooting at a rival gang member, Anees Davis, of the Taylor Gang
(TG) on that afternoon. The JFKS and the TGS operate in the Ocean View area and
constantly engage in turf wars over the drug trade. Fredericks was arrested
that same evening, while Basson was arrested the next morning. Davis was also
arrested but later released as he could not be linked to the case. The investigating
officer, Sergeant Mentjies of the Anti-Gang Unit, recovered the firearm that
was used to commit crimes at 65 Alpha Way, Ocean View, following a tip-off
about the firearm being at the known JFK house used to store firearms. He was
later rearrested. Basson was later re-arrested.
‘’In her sentencing judgment, Judge Da Silva Salie said
gang shootings for drug and turf control amount to domestic terrorism in its
most destructive form, shattering families, and robbing communities of peaceful
life in residential areas and hope for a better life,’’ said Eric Ntabazalila,
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson in the Western Cape.
Western Director of Public Prosecutions, Adv. Nicolette Bell
welcomed the sentence.
‘’It can never be overemphasised how important human life
is, and the NPA will continue to be vigorous in its pursuit of these cases to
serve as a deterrent to would-be murderers. Such matters affect the safety and
well-being of our communities, and we will continue to ensure justice for
victims of crime.’’
Executive Mayor of Cape Town, Geordin Hill-Lewis welcomed
the sentencing saying the court has sent a warning to gangsters that jail
without parole awaits those who terrorise communities.
‘’I am relieved that Emaan’s family are getting some
measure of justice out of this trial, knowing also that no amount of jail time
can bring back Emaan. It has been an honour to support the family at court
during key moments of this trial and to take inspiration from their strength
and generosity of spirit.’’
Done by: Mitchum George
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