The past two week’s court roll serves as another reminder that South Africa’s justice crisis is not measured only by crime statistics, but by what happens after an arrest. Across multiple courts, serious criminal matters were postponed yet again, with little meaningful progress toward finalisation. While victims wait months and sometimes years for justice, conviction rates remain alarmingly low, raising serious concerns about the ability of the criminal justice system to hold offenders accountable.
“The true measure of a justice system is not how many cases are opened, but how many criminals are successfully convicted,” says Juanita du Preez. “Every postponement without progress increases the risk that cases will be withdrawn, evidence will weaken, witnesses will disappear and victims will lose faith. A criminal justice system that cannot consistently convert arrests into convictions sends a dangerous message that crime does not carry consequences.”
MITCHELL’S PLAIN MAGISTRATES COURT
Micha Renge: Attempted murder, strangulation
Last appearance: 8 May 2026
Next appearance: 13 July 2026
The attempted murder case against Micha Renge’s ex-boyfriend was heard in the Mitchell’s Plain Magistrates Court on 8 May where the case was postponed to 13 July with no recorded reason for the postponement. The accused allegedly strangled his ex-girlfriend, 21-year-old Micha Renge, with a belt in December 2025 near the Mnandi Beach canal, and again at her home in Westridge.
MITCHELL’S PLAIN REGIONAL COURT
Angela Koopman: Doused in petrol and burned alive
Last appearance: 11 May 2026
Next appearance: 3 June 2026
The murder trial against Adnaan Julies, who stands accused of murdering Angela Koopman, continued on 11 May 2026 at the Mitchell’s Plain Regional Court. The matter was postponed to the 3 June 2026 for further trial, when a next witness is expected to take the stand. Angela was doused with petrol and set alight by her (then) 64-year-old boyfriend. The 41-year-old mother of two died in hospital on 22 March 2024 after she succumbed to her injuries. Koopman sustained 70% severe burn wounds to her body.
WESTERN CAPE HIGH COURT
Chanelle Plaatjies: Murdered and buried in shallow grave
Last appearance: 15 May 2026
Next appearance: 21 August 2026
Today marks exactly one year since Chanelle Plaatjies was found murdered in a shallow grave after being reported missing on 28 May 2025. The pre-trial conference in her murder case commenced in the Western Cape High Court on 15 May. The pre-trial conference will continue on 21 August 2026.
KHAYELITSHA REGIONAL COURT
Churchgoers: 19 Women sexually assaulted
Last appearance: 19 May 2026
Next appearance: 17 June 2026
The trial in the Churchgoers sexual assault and robbery case continued in the Khayelitsha Regional Court on 19 May. Nineteen women were robbed and sexually assaulted inside a church in Site C, Khayelitsha on Easter Sunday 2023. Two armed men entered during a power outage, robbed congregants and then forced women to undress and perform sexual acts at gunpoint. The second accused, Okehle Beya, testified that he was not involved in the church robbery and sexual assaults, claiming instead that his co-accused, Yamkea Jobo, returned from an outing with multiple phones and a missing flip-flop, handing the devices to Beya to store at his house. While Beya alleged he only returned the phones to a searching crowd the next morning due to being under the influence, the magistrate and prosecutor heavily scrutinized his story, questioning his decision to accept stolen property without suspicion and highlighting that multiple churchgoers explicitly identified him at the crime scene. Despite Beya’s insistence that Jobo is lying about them barely knowing each other and his denial of wearing the clothes described by witnesses, the state presented strong identification evidence linking him directly to the scene, leading the court to postpone the matter to 17 June for closing arguments.
BLUE DOWNS REGIONAL COURT
Janelle Laattoe and two others vs serial abuser
Last appearance: 26 May 2026
Next appearance: 4 August 2026
The man accused in this case is alleged to have preyed on multiple women during their relationships with him, including Janelle Laattoe. Her ordeal, along with that of two other women, has brought them together in their search for justice against a serial abuser. On 26 May, the accused refused to plead guilty on rape charges. The trial will therefor continue on 4 August 2026.
BRIXTON MAGISTRATES COURT
Viral child abuse case back in court
Last appearance: 26 May 2026
Next appearance: 25 June 2026
The three suspects, aged between 28 and 36, including the child’s biological mother and two adult males accused of child abuse, were back in court in April. The three appeared in a now viral and disturbing video circulating online, showing a young child being handed what appears to be Mandrax and encouraged to smoke it while adults laugh and watch to see if he stumbles around. The case continued in the Brixton Magistrates Court on 26 May 2026 and was postponed to 25 June 2026 when the suspects are expected to plead.
