Two wooden crosses were erected at the Putfontein off-ramp on May 26 in memory of Jessica Kuhn and Johanco Fleischman, who were shot and killed on the Putfontein bridge three years earlier to the day, after their bakkie ran out of fuel.
Their killers, Melusi Gift Shima (25) and Ishmael Hlabathi (32), were each sentenced to two life sentences in the Benoni Magistrate’s Court on April 4.
The mood at the roadside memorial was sombre as family and friends took turns to pay tribute to the two youngsters.
Mothers Marika Fleischman and Johanna Kuhn said they decided to erect the crosses to remember their children at the place where they were murdered.
Speaking during the brief ceremony, which was attended by members of a local security company, police and EMPD officers, Benoni CPF executive chairperson Dr Reza Patel said life comes by the decision of God and life is taken by God’s decision.
“They may have been slain here, but they are in heaven now. We pray God may bring peace to the families.”
Patel urged attendees to stand together against crime because, “individually we are nothing but together we are everything”
He further assured the families they are not alone in this difficult time.
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