When I met this family months ago, their story was just heart shattering, especially as a parent of a young daughter of similar age. Still, this family manages to be generous and warm-hearted. They are remarkable people. 

'To lose a child in these horrific circumstances is something a parent should never have to experience. My heart goes out to Emaan's family, who have waited a long time - nearly four years - for this trial to get underway. 

'I was glad to be able to support them this morning at the court, and to convey that the City is behind them, and that as parents ourselves we deeply feel their pain.  We are closely watching this trial, and we pray for justice to be done and for the harshest possible sentence to be meted out to Emaan's killers. We join the community of Ocean View and the family in demanding "Justice for Emaan". 

'It is families like Emaan's who inspire and drive us to get up every day and do our part to make Cape Town safer, so that no family has to suffer this deep pain of loss in such a tragic way.

'Emaan's was not a senseless killing – it was a calculated one – because gangsters know there are innocent people going about their daily life throughout the communities being terrorised by their actions. Children should be able to play safely in the streets, and people should not live in daily fear of crime in their neighbourhoods,' said Mayor Hill-Lewis. 

Mayor Hill-Lewis said the City's goal is to help the South African Police Service (SAPS) do much more, especially in the fight against gang, gun and drug crime.