Sad farewell for young gang war victims Zechariah Matthee and Alnika Mitchell

Two children caught in gang crossfire have been laid to rest, with police confirming no arrests in one of the deadly incidents that has left Cape Flats communities reeling, Daily Voice reports.

Nine-year-old Zechariah Matthee, along with his aunt Cleo Bailey, was buried on Saturday, 13 December — the same day that 14-year-old Alnika Mitchell of Kensington was also laid to rest.

Zechariah, a pupil at Caradale Primary School, was shot and killed while hiding in a cupboard in his home in Viscount Street, Rocklands, Mitchells Plain on 2 December. He died alongside Bailey and family friend Mousheen Daniels, 26, who was also recently buried. Two other individuals were wounded in the same attack.

The joint funeral service for Zechariah and Bailey was held at the House of Grace Ministries in Mitchells Plain, following days of community prayer services outside the home where the triple murder occurred. Local pastors and mothers gathered to call for an end to the bloodshed plaguing the area.

Police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk confirmed that no suspects have been apprehended in the Rocklands shooting. “The matter is still under investigation. No arrests have been made yet, but detectives are following up on all leads in an effort to make a breakthrough,” he said.

Meanwhile, Alnika Mitchell’s funeral procession moved through Lugmag Street — the very street where her life was taken on 6 December — and concluded at the Factreton Docks Mission. Her flower-adorned white coffin was accompanied by mourners from across the community, many of whom expressed grief and outrage over the senseless loss.

Alnika, affectionately known as “Bossiekop” by her father, was struck by a stray bullet while watching schoolchildren celebrate their matric farewell.

Milosh Basson, 35, appeared in the Cape Town Magistrates’ Court last week in connection with her murder. He faces charges of murder, four counts of attempted murder, and possession of an unlicensed firearm. The matter has been postponed to 18 December for Basson to appoint legal representation.

Ward Councillor Cheslyn Steenberg, who has been vocal in seeking justice for Alnika, led a community march on Sunday calling for peace. Speaking at her funeral, he said: “We are laying our daughter to rest this morning. As we walk her to church, we are calling for justice. Her blood cries out from the soil for justice.

‘Alnika, my child, rest in peace. We will fight for justice for you.’”

IOL