CAPE TOWN - What was meant to be a weekend of celebration ended in tragedy when a 15-year-old girl was shot and killed in a gang crossfire in Atlantis, Cape Town, two days after her birthday.
Nikita Finch from Sherwood Park, a pupil at Robinvale High School, celebrated her birthday on Friday and died on Sunday after being shot while she was returning home from a youth event. She and a friend had stopped at a local corner shop when the rival gangs clashed.
Two other people, including an 18-year old were wounded during the gunfight. Police say no arrests have been made yet.
Nikita's mother, Nicolette Finch said she was reliving her worst nightmare as her firstborn son was also killed in gang violence. She said the incident had left the family devastated and opened up old wounds.
"I don't know if its ever going to be the same without her. I lost my son ten years ago through gun violence," a visibly emotional Finch said.
Nikita has been described as a quiet and loving child who enjoyed dancing and wanted to pursue social work after matric.
"She was a really clever child in school. She loved to laugh a lot. She would turn sad moments into laughable ones," Finch added.
This was echoed in a tribute by Robinvale High School on Facebook, which said, "Nikita will be remembered for her beautiful smile and bubbly personality that brought joy to those around her."
"She had a special way of making others smile and will forever remain in the hearts of her teachers, classmates, and friends. As we returned to school today, there was and will forever be an empty seat in the classroom—a painful reminder of a young life gone, far too soon. While that seat may be empty, the memories, laughter, and happiness Nikita shared with us, will never fade," read the tribute.
In February, a 14-year-old high school pupil, who was also caught in the crossfire during taxi violence was also killed.