Justice for Thea

Justice was finally served for four-year-old Thea Lewis who was killed in a gang shooting in 2018 when six skollies were found guilty at the Western Cape High Court last week.

Her heartbroken mother Tammy, 27, says she will never forget the fateful day when her little girl died in her arms after being struck in the chest by a gang bullet.

Thea and her two-year-old sister, Hope, were playing in front of their home in Uitsig Avenue on 18 April 2018 when the shooting occurred.

The child was declared dead at the scene and cops arrested Brandon September and Nigel Prinsloo, members of the Terrible Josters gang, for the shooting.

During the lengthy trial in 2019, it was revealed that the Terrible Josters were at war with various rival gangs and the two gunmen had been sent to kill members of the 26s gang but missed their intended target and Thea was struck instead.

September, who openly admitted to being a 28s gang member, shocked the court when he denied the existence of the Terrible Josters gang in Uitsig, but was cornered by the state advocate who proved he was lying on the stand.

A month after Thea’s murder, four members of the same gang killed three people inside a hokkie, two of whom were witnesses in Thea’s case.

Austin Botha, Shaun Field, Joseph William and Rodney April were charged for the murders of Abdul Kareem Oostendurp, Ricardo Williams and Rubyn Esau.

It is believed that Abdul and Ricardo gave police statements saying they could identify Thea’s killers.

Ricardo’s girlfriend, Allison Hendricks, 57, says on the day he was murdered, he went looking for an entjie and was gunned down after word spread that they would testify against September and Prinsloo.

“He had one daughter and we were together for years. He was killed because he gave a statement to the police and he was ready to testify against them. Today we feel like we have some justice,” Allison said on Sunday.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila confirms the judgement and says the accused were found guilty of murder, attempted murder and firearm-related charges.

Tammy says she was informed the sentencing would take place on 12 October:“I am glad that justice was served, but nothing will bring my child back. I will never forget the day she died like that and until today I still cry for my child.”

Meanwhile, life for Thea’s now four-year-old sister, Hope, will never be the same.

The little one said: “Ek mis my suster, she protected me.”

[email protected]