Naeema Marshall’s teenage killer has been sentenced to 10 years of direct imprisonment for murder.

The boy, who was 14 at the time, shot Naeema, 14, from Beacon Valley, in the face on July 17, 2023, while she was visiting her aunt in Kleinvlei, Eerste River.

Police spokesman Sergeant Wesley Twigg said that along with the murder sentence, which was handed down in Blue Downs Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday January 28, the boy was also sentenced to three years for illegal possession of a firearm and one year for illegal possession of ammunition. The sentences would run concurrently.

The boy, who was 16 at the time of sentencing and cannot be named as he is still a minor, shot Naeema after she refused to give him a kiss, say police.

Provincial Organised Crime and Anti-Gang Unit detectives investigated the case, and the boy remained in custody throughout the trial before being found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, said Sergeant Twigg.

A family friend and founder of the Faith and Hope Missing Persons non-profit organisation, Veranique Williams, said the boy had been harassing Naeema for some time and had made threats.

On the day she was shot, her father dropped her off at her aunt’s house, where she had planned to help take care of the children. While she was at the shop, the boy approached her and expressed his feelings.

“When she rejected him, he told her that if he can’t have her, no one else would. She returned to her aunt’s house and told her what happened. Moments later, the boy entered and shot her in the head,” said Ms Williams.

Naeema’s mother, Fadeema Marshall, said she had hoped for a harsher sentence. “I wanted 20 years or more. Ten years isn’t what I expected. I miss her madness in the house; it’s too quiet without her. Losing a child is unbearable.”

Ms Williams called the sentencing “pathetic,” stating that justice had not been served.

“This won’t bring Naeema back. It still feels fresh, like it happened yesterday. The pain is overwhelming.”

Naeema was a pupil at Beacon Hill High School and known for her friendly, caring personality. Her netball clubs, Wanderers United and Brave Hearts, and family host events on her birthday in her honour.

Ms Williams urged communities to unite against violent offenders and push for stricter bail conditions.

“Our justice system must not allow these perpetrators to get out. If they do, they’ll kill again. He had no reason to kill her.”

A non-teaching member of staff at Beacon Hill High, Zola van Rooyen's own daughter, Tiyana, was shot in the face in 2023 and survived (“Tiyana, 13, survives bullet to the head” Plainsman August 30 2023).

Reacting to the news of the sentencing, Ms Van Rooyen said: “In a few years, that boy will be free while Naeema is only a memory. The law is unjust. My child was shot in the same year as Naeema. Children have to endure immense trauma due to shootings. They (the courts) don’t understand the pain parents face. The justice system continuously fails both parents and children affected by daily violence.”

Naeema’s “bubbly personality” and “beautiful smile” would always be remembered, she said.

Naeema was a pupil at Beacon Hill High School and known for her friendly, caring personality. Her netball clubs, Wanderers United and Brave Hearts, and family host events on her birthday in her honour.

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