Action Society today released its latest national courtwrap, outlining the status of several high priority cases involving women and children. Our court monitoring teams continue to see the same systemic failures in courts across the country. Cases are postponed because forensic reports are outstanding, investigations are incomplete and dockets are transferred between officials with no accountability. These delays deepen the trauma of families who have already suffered life altering violence.
“Every week we sit in courtrooms and witness the same pattern repeating itself. Cases collapse under delays, victims wait months for basic reports and families are forced to relive their trauma while officials pass files between departments. This will not change until the solutions we have put forward are taken seriously. South Africa needs localised policing that puts real authority in the hands of communities, specialised GBV courts with dedicated prosecutors and full forensic reform. The national system is failing victims. Until these changes are implemented, we will continue to see justice delayed and justice denied,” says Kaylynn Palm, Head of the Action Centre.
PAARL REGIONAL COURT
Paarl Photographer Rapist case postponed again
Last appearance: 13 November
Next appearance: 23 June 2026
The accused, a well-known photographer in the Paarl area, allegedly lured then-19-year-old Leighché (Leigh) Thomas under the guise of a modelling photoshoot in December 2021. He reportedly supplied her with alcohol mixed with a sedative and raped her at an isolated location, before continuing the “shoot” and instructing her to say nothing. Investigations stalled for over a year until Action Society intervened, assisted with locating the suspect in February 2023 and ensured his arrest. The accused was granted bail in a separate rape matter in April 2025 while this trial is still pending.
At the most recent court appearance the matter was postponed to 23 June 2026. The delay means Leigh has now been waiting more than four and a half years for finalisation of the case. Action Society continues to monitor the proceedings and insists that this case must not be allowed to slide further into stagnation.
KHAYELITSHA REGIONAL COURT
Churchgoers Sexual Assault Case
Last appearance: 10 November 2025
Next appearance: 1 December 2025
Nineteen women were robbed and sexually assaulted inside a church in Site C Khayelitsha on Easter Sunday 2023. Action Society reports that two armed men entered during a power outage, robbed congregants and then forced women to undress and perform sexual acts at gunpoint. The trial remains ongoing as yet another postponement occurred on 10 November. The case will continue on 1 December to allow for consultation with legal representatives.
BLUE DOWNS REGIONAL COURT
Four-year-old Poppy* raped by Creche transport driver (*pseudonym)
Last appearance: 7 November 2025
Next appearance: 30 January 2026
Four-year-old Poppy from Mfuleni was allegedly assaulted on 10 October 2024 by Elliot Thyilana, the transport driver responsible for taking her home from her creche. He placed her on his lap, removed her clothing and inserted his fingers into her vagina and anus. A medical examination confirmed injuries consistent with the assault. Action Society has demanded that he never be allowed near children again. Thyilana appeared in the Blue Downs Regional Court on 7 November where the case was postponed to 30 January 2026 for trial to commence.
CAPE TOWN REGIONAL COURT
Candice Robertson – murder disguised as suicide
Last appearance: 4 and 5 November 2025
Next appearance: 3 December 2025
Candice died on 30 April 2022. Her partner claimed she had taken her own life, but forensic inconsistencies led to his arrest for murder. The case has suffered lengthy delays because the defence has not submitted required reports. On 4 November, the court has issued a strict warning to the defence to get their affairs in order. The parties will reconvene in court on 3 December to determine a final date for trial.
WYNBERG MAGISTRATE’S COURT
Melissa Bianca Dale – disabled woman raped and murdered
Last appearance: 5 November
Next appearance: 21 November
Melissa Bianca Dale, a woman who lived with a disability, was raped and murdered on 16 June 2023 at Wynberg Military Base, allegedly by the son of a Defence Force member. The case have been plagued by repeated postponements. The case appeared in court again on 5 November only to be postponed once again to 21 November, when trial is expected to commence.
BELLVILLE MAGISTRATES’ COURT
Baby Mogamat – kidnapped at eight days old
Last appearance: 6 November 2025
Next appearance: 22 January 2026
Action Society was mandated to support the mother, Imaan Sharmar, after her eight-day-old baby, Imaad Sharmar (Baby Mogamat), was abducted from a shopping mall in Bellville in June this year. The accused, 37-year-old Sameemah Jacobs, allegedly gained Imaan’s trust by posing under false identities – initially “Washeemah”, a woman met at a clinic, and later “Chevon”, a supposed nurse from the “Zoey Project” which claimed to assist young mothers. On 28 June 2025 during what Imaan believed was a legitimate outing for the support programme, she left her baby with the accused for less than five minutes and walked away. When she returned the baby was gone. Two days later the baby was recovered safe in Tafelsig, Mitchells Plain, after police investigation. Action Society opposed any relaxation of the accused’s bail conditions, noting her previous deceptive conduct with multiple identities, the vulnerability of the mother and infant, and the specific risk of access to Mitchells Plain, the area where the baby was found.
In the recent appearance the defence applied to amend bail conditions. The defence argued that the accused wishes to sign in at the Delft police station rather than Kleinvlei, and also to enter Mitchells Plain for the purpose of evicting occupants at her property and collecting her belongings. The magistrate questioned whether the accused understood the legal eviction process and challenged the lack of credible reason for entering Mitchells Plain. The prosecutor raised concerns that no proof of the accused’s prior convictions had been submitted to the High Court, and that the accused exerted potential influence on witnesses in Mitchells Plain and faced community objections. The magistrate approved the amendment for signing in at Delft police station, but denied the Mitchells Plain component of the application citing insufficient justification. The prosecutor also mandated that the accused remove her pardah and present her ID when signing in so police can verify the person. The matter has been postponed to 22 January for further investigation.
Action Society believes that justice will continue to fail victims until the following reforms are implemented:
- Localised policing that gives communities real authority over operational policing and case management.
- Provincial forensic science capacity to eliminate DNA backlogs and speed up evidence processing.
- Dedicated GBV and child protection courts staffed by specialised prosecutors and investigators.
- Performance based accountability for SAPS and NPA officials whose failures cause repeated postponements.
These reforms are essential to restoring trust in the justice system and ensuring that victims receive timely and meaningful justice.
