Action Society is appalled to learn that Xolani Du Preez, the convicted murderer of Suritha Alting, was unlawfully released from custody and subsequently reoffended while he was supposed to be serving his sentence. Du Preez is one of three violent offenders who disappeared from custody, despite a High Court order mandating their detention at Pollsmoor Correctional Centre until at least October 2025.
Du Preez, who was 17 at the time of the crime, pled guilty to murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances. He was sentenced under the Child Justice Act to two years and 245 days in a youth care facility, followed by eight years in prison.
The brutality of the crime cannot be overstated. The 28-year-old Suritha Alting – a make-up artist and beloved daughter – was attacked while returning home from a restaurant in Richwood, Cape Town. Du Preez robbed her and stabbed her 16 times in November 2022. Her violent death shocked the community and received widespread media coverage, highlighting concerns about public safety and the effectiveness of the justice system.
The fact that Du Preez was able to commit another robbery in Table View in April 2025 – while supposedly incarcerated – highlights a catastrophic failure within the Department of Correctional Services.
“It is unacceptable that Suritha Alting’s killer was allowed to walk free, reoffend, and disappear into society while her family believed justice had been served,” said Juanita du Preez, spokesperson for Action Society. “The Department of Correctional Services has failed in its constitutional duty to protect the public and uphold the law. This is not a clerical error — this is a national disgrace. The department must immediately account for this failure and explain why Parliament was misled.”
Action Society demands the following immediate actions:
– A full, independent investigation into how Du Preez was allowed to disappear;
– Disciplinary action against officials responsible for his unlawful release;
– Urgent reforms to ensure victim families are notified if offenders are released early or unlawfully;
– A public apology and full disclosure from the Department of Correctional Services.
The South African public deserves a justice system that prioritises safety, truth, and accountability. Action Society will continue to support Suritha Alting’s family and advocate for structural reforms to prevent this type of negligence from ever happening again.
