Cape Town - Two Hanover Park men accused of shooting and killing 6-year-old Zakariyah Noble have been sentenced to 25 years behind bars after pleading guilty in the Wynberg Regional Court.
Tears flowed on Friday as Noble’s heartbroken parents came one step closer to getting justice for their son as Chandler Harper and Keanan America entered into the plea deal.
The duo were busted alongside Riaan Matthews by the Anti-Gang Unit after the shooting on October 16, 2023, when Noble was struck in the chest while walking with his uncle and cousins in Surwood Walk.
Noble’s death sparked an outcry after a video emerged showing the Grade R learner from Turfhall Primary School telling his classmates that he dreamt of becoming a police officer to “punish the bad guys”.
Father, Kieyamodien Noble, said after months of delays, they returned to court on Friday where the plea statements were read into the record.
“Chandler and Keanan pleaded guilty and after all this time they admitted that they were part of a gang shooting, saying they were shooting at their rivals when Zakariyah was hit.
“They told the magistrate that they wanted to apologise to the family and were sorry but we think that was to make as if they were remorseful but in all the court appearances they were arrogant.
“They were laughing and making jokes and didn't seem to care about what we were going through.
“The plea deal was discussed with us and it was agreed that they would get 25 years.
“The magistrate stated that if she had found them guilty at trial, they would have received life sentences.”
He said the family was informed that Matthews intended on moving forward with his not guilty plea and will go on trial on January 17.
“The other two never implicated him directly in their pleas but they did say there was a third shooter.
“As a family we are content with the outcome and that there has been justice for Zakariyah.
“We will return to court for the trial,” Kieyamodien Noble said.
The family received an outpouring of support from Hanover Park residents and Noble's dream of seeing criminals behind bars continued to motivate them to fight for justice.
“I completed a victim impact statement and I said it is ironic that my son's dreams was to put bad guys away and his death actually saw gunmen go to jail.
“We are very grateful for all the support we received and we miss him everyday. There are so many residents whom we didn’t even know who came to every court appearance to stand with the family.”