A new lawyer needs time to prepare. A full court roll leaves no room for a trial. Reports remain outstanding. For the families and survivors in Action Society’s August courtwrap, these explanations mean another date in the diary and more time waiting for justice. Some have been following their cases through the courts for more than three years.
Changes in legal representation feature repeatedly in this month’s postponements, delaying proceedings in the Khayelitsha church attack case and pushing Sivenathi Toto’s case to November, four years after the assault that left her with severe brain damage and limited mobility. Meanwhile, a full court roll prevented the trial involving 14-year-old Aster* from continuing as scheduled. These latest delays add to case histories already marked by forensic backlogs, faulty court equipment and unsuitable facilities for child witnesses.
Action Society continues to support survivors and families and monitor proceedings. Although several cases have reached trial or advanced through pre-trial proceedings, August brought another round of postponements for people who have already waited far too long.
“Families arrange their lives around court dates, only to arrive and hear that a new lawyer needs time to prepare or that the court roll is full. For a child preparing to testify, or a mother waiting for answers about her child’s death, another postponement takes a real toll. Courts must protect the rights of the accused, but victims and their families also have a right to see these cases proceed without avoidable delays,” says Juanita du Preez, national spokesperson for Action Society.
KHAYALITSHA REGIONAL COURT
Thimna Kuze: 13-year-old raped and murdered at sleepover.
Last appearance: 12 August 2026 and 27 August 2026
Next appearance: 16 September 2026
Thirteen-year-old Thimna Kuze was raped and murdered in Khayelitsha in March 2023 after sleeping over at a friend’s home. The accused allegedly supplied alcohol to five girls and sexually assaulted them. Thimna was subsequently killed. Action Society obtained a mandate from Thimna’s mother and has supported the family and monitored the prosecution since April 2023. Bail was denied, but the case has suffered extensive delays involving DNA evidence, repeated problems securing legal representation for the accused, changes in defence attorneys, faulty court equipment and the break-in at the Sexual Offences Court. Several minor witnesses have testified in camera.
The accused appeared in the Khayalitsha Regional Court on 12 August 2026 for trial where it was postponed to 27 August 2026. On 27 August 2026 trial continued, and the case was postponed to 16 September 2026 because of two outstanding sentence reports.
Churchgoers raped and robbed on Easter Sunday
Last appearance: 12 August 2026
Next appearance: 15 September 2026
A group of women and children staying overnight at Blessings Zion Church in Khayelitsha were attacked during the early hours of Easter Sunday, 9 April 2023. Armed men forced congregants to undress, assaulted and robbed them, and subjected several women and girls to sexual assaults while holding victims at gunpoint. Yamkela Jobo and Okuhle Beya were subsequently prosecuted in Khayelitsha Regional Court. Action Society obtained mandates from two of the victims and has monitored and supported the case throughout the proceedings. The trial eventually commenced in January 2025 and numerous victims have testified, but proceedings have repeatedly been interrupted by unavailable or changing legal representatives, consultation delays, court equipment failures and other postponements.
On 12 August 2026 the case appeared in the Khayelitsha Regional court A where a new lawyer for one of the accused came on record. The matter was postponed to 15 September 2026 for further particulars and consultation. consultation.
PAROW REGIONAL COURT
Trial continues against “pastor” rapist of 14-year-old Aster*
Last appearance: 27 August 2026
Next appearance: 9 – 10 September 2026
A 14-year-old girl that we call Aster* to protect her identity, was allegedly raped in November 2024 by Ebrahim Sardien, a pastor and spiritual crime-prevention leader who reportedly regularly transported her to praise and worship. He allegedly took her to a rental property where the rape occurred. Action Society became involved in the case, including supporting community efforts opposing bail and submitting a formal letter opposing bail. Bail was denied in February 2025. The case has experienced numerous postponements, including changes in legal representation, unavailable court officials, unsuitable CCTV facilities for the child victim, and defence attorney availability.
The case was scheduled to continue in the Parow Regional Court on 27 August, but the trial was postponed to 9 – 10 September 2026 due to a full court roll.
JOHANNESBURG PALM RIDGE HIGH COURT
Trial continues for mother accused of murdering 11-year-old Jayden-Lee Meek
Last appearance: 26 August 2026
Next appearance: 14 September 2026
Eleven-year-old Jayden-Lee Meek was reported missing in May 2025 and was subsequently found unresponsive outside his residential complex in Florida, Gauteng, and declared dead. His mother, Tiffany Meek, was arrested and charged with his murder, defeating or obstructing the course of justice and crimen injuria. She was denied bail and remains in custody. Following several preliminary and pre-trial appearances, Meek pleaded not guilty in March 2026. The trial is now underway in the Johannesburg High Court sitting at Palm Ridge.
On 26 August 2026 the trial was postponed to 14 September 2026. During the previous court appearance, two witnesses gave evidence about Jayden-Lee’s movements on the day that he died.
GEORGE REGIONAL COURT
Revenge attack victim Sive Toto’s case continues
Last appearance: 26 August 2026
Next appearance: 17 November 2026
Sivenathi Toto was brutally assaulted in an alleged revenge attack in Lawaaikamp, George, in August 2022. Shaun Madonono allegedly broke into her home, assaulted her, dragged her through the streets, continued beating her until she was unconscious and dumped her at a dumping site. Sivenathi survived but suffered catastrophic injuries, including strokes, severe brain damage, loss of speech and limited mobility. Despite the severity of the attack, the accused was reportedly granted bail the day after his arrest. Action Society obtained a mandate and has monitored the matter since 2023. The completed investigation has been followed by repeated trial postponements.
The matter was provisionally set down for trial on 26 August 2026. But the case was postponed again to 17 November 2026 because the accused appointed a new lawyer.
WESTERN CAPE HIGH COURT
Missing, then murdered: 16-year-old Chanelle Plaatjies case continues
Last appearance: 21 August 2026
Next appearance: 16 October 2026
Sixteen-year-old Chanelle Plaatjies from Smartie Town, Paarl East, went missing on 14 May 2025. Her family and community reported concerns that SAPS had not responded adequately to her disappearance. Her body was discovered by family and community members in a shallow grave on 2 June 2025. Keaton Johnson, Bradley Mamani and Theodore Qatha were subsequently arrested and charged in connection with her murder. All three abandoned bail and remain in custody. After delays relating to outstanding forensic reports, the investigation was finalised and the matter was transferred to the Western Cape High Court.
Following an appearance on 15 May 2026, the matter was postponed to 21 August 2026 for a pre-trial conference. On 21 August 2026 the pre-trial conference started, and the case was postponed to 16 October 2026 for further pre-trial proceedings.
