Drug link to 6-year-old’s shooting?

Saudeeqa Lippert, 6

Saudeeqa Lippert, 6

Published May 5, 2016

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Authorities are investigating whether the death of a six-year old girl in Athlone was drug-related.

Police sources and some residents of Bokmakierie say little Saudeeqa Lippert was the latest victim in a turf war.

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However, Community Safety MEC Dan Plato says investigations are still ongoing.

The little girl from Kewtown was killed in a shooting in the driveway of her grandmother’s house on Monday night.

The Garlandale Primary Grade 1 pupil died in hospital a few hours later from injuries to her stomach.

Two suspects, 22 and 26, have been arrested and are expected to appear in the Athlone Magistrates’ Court today.

Police sources tell the Daily Voice the attack is drug-related.

The girl’s ouma denies smokkeling drugs despite being targeted by cop before.

Kamiela Lippert, 50, says: “Why would I allow something like that at my house?

“Police have raided my house in the past but they never found anything.

“I don’t know why people would make these things up, it must be jealousy.”

Plato, who attended Saudeeqa’s janaazah on Tuesday, says he also heard “whispers” of merting.

He tells the Daily Voice: “While I was there, I heard a lot of people saying this house is a known drug outlet in Bokmakierie.

Proof

“But I cannot comment on this because I have no confirmation, I have not followed up with [police and] I don’t have sure proof in my hands.

“Residents also said that one of the shooters has a wife and a child and now it’s going to be eye for an eye.

“I want to encourage the community not to resort to any form of retaliation.

“The area has been quiet for so long and we don’t want any flare-ups.”

Meanwhile Saudeeqa’s mother, Chimeiz Francis, 30, says she “knows nothing about a drug house”.

“I have not lived at that house [for six years] so I don’t know,” she says.

Daily Voice

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