Hundreds mourn slain child

Cape Town 02.06.12 Fransina Prins breaks down at her sons funeral.Franklin Prins is buried today by his community,in Bonnievale .After he was found dead in a river close by later this week . A 16 year old boy has been arrested in connection with the boys death. picture : neil baynes Reporter : Kowthar Solomons

Cape Town 02.06.12 Fransina Prins breaks down at her sons funeral.Franklin Prins is buried today by his community,in Bonnievale .After he was found dead in a river close by later this week . A 16 year old boy has been arrested in connection with the boys death. picture : neil baynes Reporter : Kowthar Solomons

Published Jun 3, 2012

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Hundreds of people turned out to mourn the death of murdered six-year-old Franklin Prins, who was described yesterday as a child who crept into the hearts of everyone who knew him.

The child from Bonnievale was murdered, allegedly by a 16-year-old boy on May 25, leaving the small town, just outside Robertson, reeling.

His body was found on the banks of the Breede River after his mother reported him missing.

Police questioned the 16-year-old, who led them to the body. He allegedly admitted to strangling the child with a belt.

The 16-year-old appeared in the Bonnievale Magistrate’s Court, and is being held at a place of safety pending further investigations.

Yesterday’s funeral was held at the Happy Valley Community Centre after the small coffin with gold handles, was carried from the home of his grandmother, Elizabeth Bosman.

Hundreds of people arrived from farms in Ashton, Robertson and Bonnievale, while Franklin’s mother Fransiena Prins and his grandfather Abraham Soldaat comforted one another as they wept.

The child’s uncle, Andre Soldaat, speaking for the family, said Franklin’s death was “such a tragedy”.

They were mourning that he had “left this world much too early”.

“We don’t know how we will move to the next page, but I’m sure God and Franklin will show us how.”

Children from Bruintjiesrivier Primary School, where Franklin was a Grade R pupil, lined the halls as the funeral procession entered.

“For the past week we have all grieved with Franklin’s family. His death is one that we all feel,” said Evangelist Klaas Botha.

“This feeling must remind us that we need to watch everyone’s children, so no one will ever have to go through pain like this again.”

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Weekend Argus

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