The State will be opposing the bail application of two men accused of murdering seven-year-old Emaan Solomons and wounding a man during a shooting in Ocean View last Tuesday.
On Friday, Eban Basson, 27, and Chivargo Fredericks, 20, both of Ocean View, made their first appearance at the Simon’s Town Magistrates’ Court, on charges of murder and attempted murder.
It is alleged that they are members of the Junky Funkies gang.
The injured man may not be identified as he is a crucial witness in the case.
The State has indicated that they will be opposing the men’s bail and asked for their records to be presented at their next appearance.
Emaan’s bereaved parents were not at court.
The suspects were remanded in custody until their bail application begins on 6 March.
Incidentally, Fredericks celebrated his birthday on Friday.
ARRESTED: Chivargo Fredericks faces murder charge. Picture: Supplied
Sources reveal Fredericks had been caught on Wednesday after the Anti-Gang Unit was roped in to hunt for the gunmen and stabilise the area.
It is believed that the shooting is related to a gang turf war in Ocean View.
MEMORIAL: Crosses, Ocean View. Picture: Supplied
Emaan was shot in the chest and hand while playing with two friends in the front yard of her home in Libra Street.
On Wednesday night, after a vigil for the little girl, angry residents set fire to five suspected drug dens in the area.
No one was wounded during the incidents and cops have opened cases of arson.
It was alleged that members of Pagad were behind the attacks but the crime-fighting organisation has denied the claims.
However, the Pagad G-Force took to Facebook to applaud those who burnt the homes: “The Pagad G-Force categorically supports and applauds the burning down of a number of bases of the gangsters in Ocean View and encourages all communities to remain proactive.”
Emaan was laid to rest on Thursday.
On Saturday, following the funeral of eight-year-old Tazne van Wyk of Ravensmead, Police Minister Bheki Cele visited Emaan’s paternal grandparents.
Sunday, residents of Ocean View held a silent protest and planted dozens of white crosses at the entrance of the community to commemorate the lives of child murder victims, including Aqeel Davids, 9, Camron Britz, 14 and six-month old Zahnia Woodward.
Community leader, Paul Francke, says over 60 crosses were planted, adding that over 30 people have been killed in Ocean View in just over a year.
“The crosses will be a reminder to all those living in Ocean View and those passing by that these are the people who are not here anymore,” he says.
SUSPECT: Eban Basson, allegedly a Junky Funky skollie. Picture: Supplied
“We also want to add that no one told us that Cele will be coming to Ocean View, we would have wanted to ask the necessary questions.”
Zahnia’s mom, Cindy Robyn, also laid a cross at the site.
Zahnia was shot and killed in December 2016 while being held by her father, Bradley Robyn, as they waited in Carnation Road for Cindy to arrive home from work.
DEAD: 6- year-old Zahnia. Picture: Supplied
Christopher September and Larry Johnson were sentenced to life in prison for her murder.
“These gangsters, when are they going to stop and say to themselves here are children, these were not dogs or animals,” the hartseer mother said.