Two children killed in gang warfare have been laid to rest at the weekend, with police confirming no arrests in one of the cases. As nine-year-old Zechariah Matthee’s funeral service together with his aunt, Cleo Bailey took place on Saturday, December 13, so did the burial of Alnika Mitchell, 14 of Kensington. Zechariah, a learner at Caradale Primary School, was shot dead by gang members while hiding inside a cupboard in his home in Viscount Street, Rocklands, Mitchells Plain on December 2.
The funeral service of Alnika Mitchell, 14, drew hundreds of people. The shooting claimed the lives of his aunt and friend, Mousheen Daniels, 26, who has since also been laid to rest and left two others wounded. Zechariah and Bailey’s funeral service was held at the House of Grace Ministries in Mitchells Plain, just days after various pastors and mothers in the community carried out an open air prayer service in front of the house where the triple murder was committed, calling for an end to the bloodshed.
Earlier the City confirmed the property was privately owned and was not on the Problem Building Unit (PBU) list. Police spokesperson Captain FC Van Wyk confirmed no arrests in the case: The matter is still under investigation. No arrests have been made yet.
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Police detectives are following up all leads in order to make a breakthrough in this case. Zechariah Matthee and Cleo Bailey were also laid to rest. At Alnika’s funeral service, her white coffin lay in a glass like hearse, decked with white flowers as it made its way down Lugmag street where her life was tragically taken on December 6 and was led to the Factreton Docks Mission, where hundreds gathered to pay their final respect. Last week, Milosh Basson, 35, made his first appearance at the Cape Town Magistrates’ Court for Alnika’s murder and is facing four attempted murder charges and the possession of an unlicensed firearm with the matter set for December 18 for him to appoint a legal representative.
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