Minerva Gardens murder: ‘Shoot them, Daddy, shoot them all’

“SHOOT them, Daddy, shoot them all,” was allegedly the command given by Advocate Celeste Nameka, 43, to her father, Clive Ferris, 67, after she became embroiled in an argument with her boyfriend.

The dispute, reportedly fueled by mutual accusations of infidelity, escalated into a violent confrontation involving an illegal firearm, assaults, and bloodshed.

Shocking details of the incident, during which several gunshots were fired at a residence in Minerva Gardens on December 21, emerged during the bail applications of Ferris and Nameka in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court this week.

During the altercation, Charmaine Anthony, 56, was fatally shot, while her son, Lucan Anthony, 37, sustained gunshot wounds to his leg and buttocks.

The accused, who are facing several charges including attempted murder, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, and the discharge of a firearm, stated that they could only afford bail of R500 each.

Nameka said she did not obtain a protection order against Lucan, with whom she was romantically involved, because she “loved him”. She claimed that this was despite enduring emotional and physical abuse in the relationship.

Ferris explained that he responded to his daughter’s frantic call for help at around 6am on the morning of the incident, describing her as “hysterical”.

Upon his arrival at the complex where his daughter was staying, he stated that “tensions ran high”, which resulted in “bloodshed and the loss of life”.

The investigating officer, Detective Sergeant Modise Moshotloa, testified that on the day of the incident, a friend of Nameka observed the couple engaged in a heated argument, accusing each other of infidelity.

“She described their relationship as ‘toxic’ as they fought like cats and dogs. After the argument, she overheard Nameka calling her father and Lucan calling his mother, although she did not hear the rest of the conversations,” said Moshotloa.

He added that the friend saw Ferris driving towards the house in a white Opel Corsa bakkie.

“He was carrying a firearm and she indicated that he hit Lucan with a clenched fist. She said that Ferris warned Lucan, ‘Today you will regret assaulting my child. I will show you who I am. You are a man, right? So beat me, as I am also a man.’

“She related that Lucan told him, ‘No sir, I am not fighting,’ and later heard him screaming.”

Moshotloa added that the friend later saw Lucan standing outside in the yard of the complex, in front of an Audi.

“The deceased [Charmaine Anthony] was speaking on the phone behind an SUV that was parked behind the Audi. Nameka’s friend advised her to ‘watch out’. As she was driving out of the complex, she saw Ferris holding a firearm and pointing it in the air, before a gunshot was fired.

“Nameka requested the witness to call the police and an ambulance as Charmaine had been shot and her father was lying on the ground with a skull fracture.”

Moshotloa added that, according to Lucan, Ferris punched him in the face, strangled him and threatened him at gunpoint.

“He said Nameka instructed Ferris to ‘shoot them, Daddy, shoot them all’.

“He recalled a Renault Clio driving into the yard and four men alighted and assaulted him. Two of the men wore balaclavas while the other two did not cover their faces. He indicated that Nameka was swearing at him.

“Lucan felt a belt tied around his neck and he was dragged on the ground when he fell. Ferris proceeded to beat and slap him and warned him, ‘You will see today’.

“He said that while Ferris chased him and his brother around the car, Nameka kept on shouting, ‘Shoot them, Daddy, shoot them all’.

“They were scared and feared for their lives. The video footage shows them ducking when a firearm was pointed at them.”

According to Moshotloa, Lucan explained that he wet himself when he was attacked by the four men.

“Lucan fell to the ground after he was shot. A firearm was pointed at his face when he turned around in order to lie on his back. This is when Lucan’s brother approached Ferris from behind and hit him over the head with a brick. Lucan’s brother placed the firearm in his pocket when Ferris fell down and dropped his weapon.

“Nameka cautioned the men who climbed out of the Renault Clio, saying, ‘Watch out, they took my father’s firearm’.”

He added that Charmaine Anthony, who was standing behind the SUV, was shot in the abdomen as she tried to flee.

“Lucan managed to get up and drive himself to the hospital,” said Moshotloa. “His mother was also transported for medical attention but died in hospital.”

The investigating officer advised the court that the firearm used in the shooting was unlawful, as the licence had expired.

He objected to the accused being released on bail.

“Both families have liquor businesses, and the accused know the residential addresses of the deceased’s family members,” he said.

Moshotloa also noted that two additional assault charges were opened against Nameka by family members of the deceased following the incident.

“Nameka is provoking family members of the deceased, where she warned one complainant in court that, ‘You are next’.”

Moshotloa added that two petitions, calling for bail to be denied, were handed in and the community was “in uproar” over the incident.

He stated that medical records indicated that Ferris had sustained “non-life-threatening injuries” during the incident.

“The medical records point to bruises and lacerations and not a skull fracture,” said Moshotloa.

The legal representative for the accused, Advocate Joy Mongala, argued that the contents of Nameka’s phone call to her father could not be corroborated.

He argued that the murder was not premeditated.

He also questioned how the deceased could have been struck in the abdomen if she was running away from the shooter.

Mongala expressed surprise at how Ferris, who was “frail and old”, had survived the attack after he was struck over the head with a brick.

“There are different versions as to how many shots were fired. We don’t even know who fired the shot.”

He stated that Nameka consulted a doctor and a psychologist in December 2024 after she sustained multiple bruises and was “very anxious” over her alleged abusive relationship.

“We don’t know if she will be able to be treated for lupus inside prison,” said Mongala. “She has special dietary requirements and must stay out of the sun.”

Mongala pointed out that the State prosecutor who had joined her to the charges, was the same person who had lodged a complaint against Nameka at the Legal Practice Council.

State prosecutor Keiso Lebollo highlighted the high degree of violence inflicted during the attack, as well as the alleged acts of intimidation that followed.

The case continues before Magistrate Khumalo on January 17.