The Blue Downs Magistrate's Court has sentenced a 15-year-old boy for shooting and killing a girl after she refused his advances. Naeema Marshall (14) was shot in her head on 17 July 2023, by a teenager who cannot be named as he is a minor.

MURDERED FOR REFUSING A BOY A KISS

Naeema, who was a grade 9 pupil from Beacon Valley High School in Mitchells Plain in Cape Town when she was murdered, was visiting her aunt in Eerste River at the time of her death. Her mother, Fadeema Marshall, told the media in the past that her daughter had gone to the shop for her aunt when she met the boy. The boy, who according to the mother had been pursuing Naeema to be his girlfriend, asked for a kiss, which she refused. A neighbour later saw Naeema and the boy arguing. "He liked her, and she didn't. He then told her, 'Jy sal sien jy (you will see)' and Naeema said she was not afraid. The mother added that Naeema walked back to her aunt's house, where the accused followed her and shot her on the left side of her head.

SENTENCED

Police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg said after the tragic murder, the case was assigned to provincial organized crime and anti-gang unit detectives who built a strong case by collecting evidence and witness statements to present before the court. "The accused was found guilty on 28 November 2024 for the charges brought before the court. He remained in custody for the duration of the trial and it was proven beyond reasonable doubt that he was guilty of murder. He was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for the murder, three years for illegal possession of ammunition and one year for the illegal possession of a firearm. The sentences will run concurrently.' The Western Cape police management lauded the investigation team and the prosecutor on a job well done.