Girl dies in gangster violence

2003-03-11 23:23

Marenet Jordaan

Cape Town - A nine-year-old girl has become the third victim of gangster violence on the Cape Flats in as many weeks.

Miquela (Lulu) Apollis of Steenberg was gunned down in gangster crossfire on Tuesday afternoon.

Like every other day, Lulu spent Tuesday afternoon at a friend's house a few blocks down Symphony Street where she lived with her mother, father, brother Bernard, 18, and sister Levina, 14.

Shortly after 17:00 a yellow Golf drove down Symphony Road and the occupants opened fire on members the Junky Funky Kids gang.

Lavinia Demink, who was busy in her kitchen, heard the shots.

"I saw two boys disappearing around a corner. The girl was lying in the road. She was crying and bleeding and calling her mother."

Lulu was shot in the chest and shoulder, and died in a pool of blood.

Lulu's father Alvin Green was on his way home from work in Grassy Park when he heard about his daughter's death.

"I want her back, I want her back," he said in tears on Tuesday evening.

"I can only say good things about her. There is nothing bad to say about her."

Prisoners in their own homes

Venicia Apollis, Lulu's mother, said she last saw her daughter when she got home from the Floreat primary school on Tuesday afternoon. She was in Grade 3.

"She was a hardworking, obedient child. She knew she had to be home by 18:00. She used to help around the house, and was interested in everything."

For two hours Lulu's parents, friends and family waited beside the body on the pavement outside Demink's home.

"Lavender Hill's violence is moving this way," someone said.

"Nobody will tell if they saw anything, they're too afraid of the gangs," another said.

"Our children are becoming prisoners in our own homes," a third said.

Inspector Reginald Daniels of Steenberg police said a member of the 28's gang was arrested in connection with the shooting on Tuesday evening. He was allegedly the driver of the car.

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- Die Burger