Our decaying and indifferent justice system makes it an uphill battle to get justice in South Africa. We face postponement after postponement and we recently learned that a suspect in a rape case is also now facing charges of another armed robbery case. And it will be soon be one year since Carmen Gouws was killed by an axe wielding abuser.
MITCHELLS PLAIN MAGISTRATES COURT
Angela Koopman: Burnt to death
Angela Koopman was doused in petrol and set alight by her partner on 22 March 2024. She was rushed to hospital where she eventually died from the severe burns she sustained. Fortunately bail was denied for the killer and the matter was postponed to 29 October 2024 for further investigation. Her family was very relieved and pleased that her killer was denied bail.
Firdous Kleinschmidt: Teenager caught in crossfire
More than six months have passed since 13-year-old Firdous Kleinschmidt was killed by a stray bullet while awaiting transport to her school. No judgement was made on the bail application once again and the matter was postponed to 8 August 2024, again for possible judgement on the bail application. This was the seventh time that this case was postponed for bail application.
KHAYELITSHA REGIONAL COURT
Nosiphiwo James: Stabbed to death with a screwdriver
Action Society attended the murder case of Nosiphiwo James in July. It has been more than two years since the young woman was killed shortly after a mass shooting in the same area. Action Society commends the bravery of a key witness who took to the stand despite receiving multiple violent threats in May of this year in what was yet another ploy in the defence’s multiple attempts to delay this case. The matter was heard on 29 July 2024 unfortunately the pathologist was again not available to testify and the case was postponed to 28 August for the pathologist’s testimony to be heard.
PAARL MAGISTRATES COURT
Photographer Rapist: Aspiring model raped by a photographer
Action Society attended the case against the Photographer Rapist in the Paarl Regional Court in August 2024. Action Society is overseeing this case of the young model who was raped by a photographer who was well known in the Paarl region. He used his influence and reputation to lure the 19-year-old aspiring model to a secluded area where he drugged and raped her during a photo session. The matter was heard on 12 August 2024 and the attorney was finally present. However we find it unacceptable that we have to wait a whole year for the trial to start on 18 Aug 2025.
MALMESBURY REGIONAL COURT
Serial molester: Action Society wants him removed from society
Action Society continues to push for a man accused of molesting three children in Malmesbury to be permanently removed from society. The case has been particularly frustrating as the accused has slipped through the cracks multiple times. He was first arrested in 2021 but was let go on a warning. In the meantime, two years on, the accused has bought himself time by changing lawyers on three different occasions. Action Society warns that he is a danger to all children and should be removed from society. The accused has moved up to number 41 on the list for placement at Valkenberg Psychiatric hospital (he was 59th on the list at his last appearance), The matter was heard in court on 29 July 2024 and has been postponed to 9 September 2024 as the attorney of the accused was not present.
VREDENDAL MAGISTRATES COURT
Nadine Klaase: Strangled in her bed
Nadine Klaase was strangled to death in her bed in Vredendal North on 6 October, 2023. The suspected killer was her boyfriend at the time, and he was arrested the night her body was discovered. Her body was found with multiple scratches on her skin, she had a bloodied nose, and a shoelace was tied around her neck. The case was heard on 30 July 2024 and was postponed to 11 September 2024 for a decision by Director of Public Prosecution on whether it will be heard in regional or high court.
Carmen Gouws: Killed by an axe wielding abuser
The Carmen Gouws murder case continued in August 2024. Carmen Gouws was brutally killed by her axe wielding abuser on her 21st birthday on 7 October 2023. Her alleged killer had a long history of abusing her. The matter was heard on 5 August 2024 and was postponed to 3 October for further investigation, just four days before the one year anniversary of her death.
PAARL REGIONAL COURT
Churchgoers raped
Nineteen women from Khayelitsha were sexually assaulted on Easter Sunday while preparing for the service in April of 2023. Two men entered the church and forced the women to undress and perform sexual acts whilst beating them. Furthermore, it has since come to light that one of the accused is currently being prosecuted for an armed robbery case. The matter was heard on 31 July and was postponed to 22 August 2024 for legal aid.
Mietjie Ontong: Killed in her home in cold blood
Action Society attended the Nosiphiwo James murder case in the Khayelitsha Regional Court on 3 July. It has been more than two years since her tragic death. Action Society commends the bravery of a key witness who took to the stand despite receiving multiple violent threats in May of this year in what was yet another ploy in the defence’s multiple attempts to delay this case. The matter was heard in court on 5 August and was postponed to 06 September 2024 for plea negotiations.
Candice Robertson: Murder made to look like a suicide
Candice Robertson was murdered in a guesthouse in Green Point by her partner. He tried to make the murder look like a suicide, telling the police that she had hung herself. However once the police took a look at the scene, it was clear that there had been foul play and the man was arrested. The matter was heard on 6 August and was postponed to 28 August 2024 provisionally for a trial date.
