Families of slain victims mourn their loved ones

THE FAMILIES of a woman and a sixyear-old girl murdered last year, said they are not over their deaths.

Chimeize Francis, 30, mother of Saadiqah Lippert, 6, who was hit by a stray bullet while playing with friends in the yard at their home in Bokmakierie, Athlone, said she was still grieving after hner daughter’s murder.

Francis spoke outside the Western Cape High Court where two accused men, Samier Slamang and Waylon Both, were due to stand trial.

“I still have everything of hers as it was back then in May when she was killed.

“Her clothes are still unpacked in the wardrobe. I didn’t part with anything, including her toys. I am not ready to part yet.”

Francis said both men, who are out on bail, were known to the family.

“She recalled an incident three weeks ago where she drove past one of the accused.

“I get a little shock each time I come across them. Seeing them makes me want to break down. I even fear living in the same area with them. They knew my daughter.”

The first day of the trial was postponed due to the unavailability of interpreters. Trial will commence today.

Zara Hector’s family was also outside the high court waiting with many family members and friends wearing pink T-shirts with a picture of her face on it.

Hector was struck five time on the head with a hammer last year.

Her body was found wrapped in canvas and dumped on a farm in Groot Drakenstein.

It is alleged she was on her way to Blackheath to return her boyfriend’s BMW Z3 when the attack occurred.

The two men accused of her murder, Ronaldo van Rooyen, 34, and Tawfeeq Ebrahim, 26, were also due to stand trial, but the case was postponed to today because of the unavailability of an Afrikaans-speaking interpreter for Van Rooyen.

Dawn Roode, a Kuils River community activist, said Hector grew up in front of her. “I knew the angel side of her. “The one that always helped those who are in need.

“Zara would come to my house and drop clothes that she bought to give to charity. She was bubbly, always vibrant irrespective of challenges that faced her.

“She did not deserve to die like that; it is painful just thinking of the way she was murdered.” –

“SEEING THEM MAKES ME WANT TO BREAK DOWN. I EVEN FEAR LIVING IN THE SAME AREA WITH THEM. THEY KNEW MY DAUGHTER.