Saturday, 27 January 2023 marks one year since 34-year-old Cleo Diko was found murdered, but instead of moving towards closure, delay upon delay continues to plague the case against 38-year-old Sandile Jegwa, the man accused for her murder. Action Society called on the Mitchells Plain Regional court to put an end to the unprofessional delay tactics by the accused and his defence team. The case was postponed to 7 February 2024 on Thursday, 25 January for the defence to consult with the accused.
“Cleo went missing in October 2022. Her decomposed body was found three months later on 27 January 2023 in Mandalay in Cape Town. There was a rope around her neck and her body was hidden under a bed, covered with cement and tiles. Her identity had to be confirmed through DNA testing,” explains Action Society’s Kaylynn Palm. “Jegwa was arrested after the police received a call from a woman who told them about blood-stained blankets and pillows she had come across while cleaning the separate entrance where her son stayed. Jegwa was arrested near a railway, where he was living.”
According to Action Society, the accused has been playing a game of cat and mouse with the court for almost a year and towards the end of last year, a Diptheria outbreak at the Pollsmoor caused several further delays.
“The outbreak has since been contained and the defence has run out of excuses. Cleo’s case shows how easy it is for killers to abuse our broken judicial system to avoid punishment. In fact, justice decay has reached a point where a criminal’s chances of being prosecuted successfully is so low, that the court is no longer a deterrent for crime.
Action Society continues to support Cleo’s family. “Outside court on Thursday, Cleo’s mother said that in her mind, she is still stuck on the day they found her daughter’s bones. She is unable to move forward. Enough is enough. It is time for the court to take a stronger stance.”
