Two teenagers shot in 72 hours

TOMORROW brave teenager Aqeelah Schroeder was to have taken the witness stand against her alleged rapist – instead relatives are planning her funeral.

Aqeelah was one of two teenage girls who were shot just three days apart in Delft this week.

The 15-year-old, Grade 9 learner from the Hague, Delft, was caught in the middle of a gang fight in Spitfire Circle on Women’s Day while walking to a nearby shop.

Aqeelah’s sister, Tiffany Carolissen, 24, told Weekend Argus the family was devastated as she would never see justice done after she was raped at age 8, and would most likely not have her killers brought to book.

“As a family we are not coping, it’s very difficult for us. Just to think she was going to take the stand in her trial on Monday now we are fighting to get justice for her life again.

“Isn’t what’s happening enough to see that us women aren’t safe anymore? We constantly have to fight for justice.

“My sister, who had dreams of becoming a surgeon, died before even seeing justice.”

Police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk said Aqeelah was shot and later died in hospital. No arrests have been made.

The teen will be buried on Saturday. And just 72 hours after Schroeder was killed, a 13-year-girl was shot and wounded after she was caught in gang crossfire as well while walking to the shop.

It is understood that the Grade 8 learner was walking along Roosendal Avenue when shots were fired from a silver Volkswagen.

The teen was shot in her back and was rushed to hospital where she is said to be in a stable condition.

Police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi said the police were called to the scene shortly after 1pm on Friday.

“Upon arrival at the scene on the corners of Roosendal Avenue and Delft Main Road near a shopping complex, they found the injured victim who sustained a gunshot wound,” he said.

“The victim was transported to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. The unknown suspects who fled the scene are yet to be arrested.”

Delft has seen an increase in

shootings over the past few months, including the death of an off-duty police officer, Constable Shamielah Arendse, outside her home last month.

On Sunday Lee-Anne Bailey, 29, was shot and killed while she was in her N2 Gateway home.

Civil society organisation Action Society director Ian Cameron said the incidents were horrific and the reason why he believed the government had blood on its hands.

“When I visited Aqeelah’s mom, and she hugged me and started screaming, I couldn’t help but question, are our women born to die?

“What type of hope do our children have? Mothers are burying their young girls. There is nothing to celebrate about women’s month, because you must even be afraid to walk to the shop during the day.

“I don’t think women are free in South Africa, especially not in poorer communities.”

Cameron again called on Police Minister Bheki Cele to pay more attention to communities affected by high crime rates.

“You have all the types of protection just to go to an indaba, but the communities have nothing? How do you justify this? National government has blood on their hands.”

Founder of Women Impacting a Nation Farida Ryklief said Delft residents were living under tense and traumatising conditions.

“There are people sleeping on the floor because they are afraid that a stray bullet will fly through their windows,” she said.

“Being shot and killed in crossfire, is this our new reality? I for one refuse to accept it. We have the right to live free from violence and as residents of Delft, we need to claim our right and demand that our police ensure that our streets are gun free and safe to walk in.”

Ryklief called on the community to stand together.

“More should be done to protect our women and children. Let’s not be (silenced) by fear. Do not sit in your comfort zone and think that the crime situation doesn’t affect you or it’s not your business.”