'I broke into a billion pieces': A mother's heartbreak as court hears impact of Emaan Solomons' murder

"I broke into a billion pieces."

This is the heartbroken cry of the mother of slain 7-year-old Emaan Solomons, as she described the impact of her only daughter’s death as convicted killers Eben Basson and Chivargo Fredericks returned to the Western Cape High Court this week.

The duo returned to court for pre-sentencing arguments after they were convicted by Judge Gayaat Da Silva Salie in February. 

They are alleged members of the Junky Funky Kidz gang in Ocean View, and were busted by the Anti-Gang Unit and charged with killing Emaan in front of her home during a shooting on February 25, 2020 amid a gang war.

They were slapped with various charges including murder, attempted murder, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, and charges under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act, and now face a possible life sentence. 

Tears flowed in the public gallery when the Victim Impact Statement of Emaan’s mother, Nurah, was read into the record. 

In her statement, the mother described her emotions when she arrived to see her daughter after the shooting. 

She said: "The moment I came down the stairs and saw my beloved Emaan just lying there, it hit me hard with helplessness, shock at the same time knowing I couldn't do anything for her. I could feel a part of myself leaving with her, that broke me into a billion pieces as a mother."

The case was postponed to April 30 for sentencing.  

Cape Argus