Action Society continues to support victims of violent and sexual crimes in courts around the country despite setbacks. There has been little movement in the six months since 13 year old Firdous Kleinschimdt was killed by a stray bullet at her school and a young man who brutalised his defenceless grandmother has been granted free bail. Although we are disappointed that these cases are amongst many, seemingly on the road to nowhere, we remain determined to fight for these victims.
MALMESBURY REGIONAL COURT:
Malmesbury molester: Serial child molester
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). Legal aid was absent and the matter was postponed to 29 July 2024 for placement to confirm if the accused is fit to stand trial.
PAARL REGIONAL 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. The accused in her murder case appeared in court on 13 June 2024, but the proceedings were postponed to 2 July 2024 for judgement on the bail application. The accused appeared in Mitchells Plain magistrates court on 2 July 2024 where the matter was again postponed to 18 July 2024 for judgement on the bail application.
Mietjie Ontong: Much loved elderly lady killed in cold blood
The Mietjie Ontong murder case continued in July 2024. Mietjie (63), a pillar in her community, was murdered in cold blood in her house in Hermon on 11 October 2023. The case continued in court on 12 July where it was postponed to 5 August for consultation.
KHAYELITSHA REGIONAL COURT
Thimna Kuze: Found dead in a shack
The murder case of Thimna Kuze continued in July 2024. Thimna, a 13-year-old girl from Khayelitsha was murdered on 25 March 2023 and her family is still waiting for justice. The young girl slept over at a friend’s house, and was found dead a day later in a shack with blood in her nose, mouth and groin area. The man accused of her murder appeared in court on 3 July and the case was postponed to 14 August 2024 for trial.
Thimna Kuze is one of the many children who are victims of violence in South Africa every day. Join our Save Our Children campaign to help Thimna and other children like her.
Churchgoers assaulted:
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. The two accused appeared in the Khayelitsha Regional Court A on 8 July 2024 and the matter was postponed to 31 July 2024 to allow the defence to consult.
Nosiphiwo James: Stabbed to death with a screwdriver
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 on the roll for further trial, however the pathologist was not available to testify and the case was therefore postponed to 29 July 2024 for his testimony to be heard.
MITCHELLS PLAIN MAGISTRATES COURT
Iris*:Raped by mother’s ex-husband
Action Society was approached by the mother of a 15-year-old girl who was raped by the mother’s ex-husband. He allegedly raped her while he was giving her a bath. The matter was heard in court on 3 July 2024 and was postponed to 13 August 2024 for further particulars. (Iris is a pseudonym)
Firdous Kleinschmidt: Killed by a stray bullet
Today marks six months since 13-year-old Firdous Kleinschmidt was killed by a stray bullet while she was awaiting transport to take her to school. Action Society first attended the case against the man who killed this innocent girl from Mitchells Plain in January 2024. The matter was heard in court on 11 July 2024 and was postponed again to 16 July 2024 for bail application.
Elderly grandmother beaten by family member:
Action Society is bitterly disappointed in the case of an elderly woman who was assaulted by a teenage family member. The matter was heard at the Kuilsriver Magistrates court on 15 July 2024 where he was granted free bail on the conditions that he attends school every weekday, and will be under house arrest over the weekends. The case has been postponed to 27 September 2024 for further investigation.
Join our Victim to Victor campaign to help this lady and other victims like her.
