Uitsig community remembers slain boy
A 12-year-old boy died on Saturday after being caught in the cross-fire of gang violence in Uitsig.
CAPE TOWN - Family members and friends of a slain 12-year-old Cape Town boy gathered at the C.L Wilmot Primary School for a memorial service on Thursday.
Kurt Appies died on Saturday after being caught in the cross-fire of gang violence in Uitsig.
He would have celebrated his 13th birthday on Sunday.
Appies's relatives and fellow learners wept as church hymns were sung.
#KurtAppies A woman wipes away a child's tears. LI pic.twitter.com/AV9ILaHTTf
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) April 23, 2015
Teachers paid emotional tributes to the 12-year-old who they described as a 'happy and respectful child'.
Community members said too many children were losing their lives due to gang violence in the area.
Some Uitsig teachers said they feared for the lives of school children in the area.
Appies's parents tearfully bowed their heads as several pupils walked up the stage to light a row of purple candles in memory of the little boy.
#KurtAppies Pupils light a row of candles in memory of him. LI pic.twitter.com/WSwXxUH7ab
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) April 23, 2015
A white and purple bouquet and a photo of the smiling child were placed close by.
The school's acting deputy principal said Appies would be missed dearly.
"Everybody is struggling to deal with it because Kurt was such a kind child, he was small built. But in that he had a very big character.
#KurtAppies The community says too many innocent adults and children are losing their lives due to gang violence in the area. LI
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) April 23, 2015
In a separate incident this week, a 15-year-old-boy was shot dead when he was caught in a cross fire of gang violence in Tafelsig.
