Action Society has expressed frustration at another postponement in Angela Koopman’s murder trial after proceedings scheduled to continue in the Mitchells Plain Regional Court today were postponed because the accused’s lawyer fell ill. The trial is scheduled to continue tomorrow, 29 October 2026.
Angela, a mother of two, was attacked in Tafelsig, Mitchells Plain, on 22 March 2024. She was allegedly doused in petrol and set alight by her partner and died in hospital from her burn injuries. Her children were aged 14 and 16 at the time. Adnaan Julies stands accused of her murder.
“Angela’s family has waited more than two and a half years for this case to reach a conclusion. They arrived at another scheduled trial date today, only to face another postponement,” says Action Society spokesperson Juanita du Preez.
“While illness can be unavoidable, the accumulated delays have placed an enormous burden on this family. We expect proceedings to resume tomorrow and every reasonable effort to be made to ensure that the trial progresses.”
Despite trial dates being allocated from May 2025, testimony only began on 15 April 2026. Earlier postponements involved outstanding investigations, defence consultations, witnesses not being present, a full court roll and problems with the toilets in the court holding cells.
Since the trial began, the court has heard evidence from three State witnesses. The first witness testified that Julies poured petrol over Angela several times before she caught fire. The second witness testified that he saw Julies attempting to set Angela alight with a lighter. He also described how he helped Angela after she was engulfed in flames.
The court has also heard evidence concerning a Facebook message allegedly sent by Julies expressing remorse. Julies disputes having sent the message.
Today’s postponement follows another delay on 23 September 2026, when the matter could not proceed before the magistrate presiding over the trial because the magistrate was ill.
“Behind every postponement is a family who must prepare themselves emotionally to hear evidence about the violent death of someone they love. Angela’s children and parents deserve clear communication and a justice process that respects their time and their grief,” says Du Preez.
“Action Society will continue supporting Angela’s family and monitoring the case. This trial must receive the preparation and court time needed to bring it to a conclusion without further avoidable delays.”
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