The Action Society team continued to support victims of sexual and violent crimes. We are optimistic about the case of Violet, a young girl who was raped by her uncle as her case moves to closing arguments, and the rape case of a teenage girl moves to sentencing.
KHAYELITSHA MAGISTRATES COURT
Churchgoers rape
Nineteen women from Khayelitsha were sexually assaulted on Easter Sunday while preparing for the service. Two men entered the church and forced the women to undress and perform sexual acts whilst beating them. The case has been provisionally postponed to 8 July 2024 for attorneys to get charge sheets and for the state to consult with witnesses.
CAPE TOWN REGIONAL COURT C
Candice Robertson: Tried to make her murder look like suicide
The case against Candice Robertson’s partner, who killed her and tried to make her murder look like a suicide on 30 April, 2022, continued in June. According to reports, her killer allegedly called the owner of the guest house they were staying and reported that Robertson seemed to have committed suicide in the room. However, when authorities and medics arrived at the scene, there were doubts about what had happened, and he was arrested. The matter was heard on 24 June 2024 and was postponed to 6 August for consultation by the defence.
PAARL MAGISTRATES COURT
Violet: Raped by uncle
Action Society supported Violet*, a teenager who was raped by her uncle in 2019. This case has been particularly frustrating and has been postponed at least 14 times. The matter was heard on 26 June 2024 and was postponed to 18 July 2024 for closing arguments.
Daisy: Stalked and stabbed
Action Society has been supporting the 16-year-old girl who was nearly killed after her ex-boyfriend stabbed her in the lungs. Despite a protection order, he continued to stalk her and attempted to take her life on 17 July 2023 by stabbing her in the head. The matter was heard on 18 June, and has been postponed to 11 October 2024 for plea and trial.
Asiphe Cetywayo: Body thrown in a dumpsite
Asiphe’s mutilated body was found by herdsman at the Vlakkeland dumping site on Monday, March 4, 2024. She was raped and murdered the previous day and her body was severely burnt with acid. The matter was heard on 24 June 2024 and has been postponed to 24 July 2024 due to outstanding DNA results.
Photographer rapist:
27 June 2024, marked 500 days since the man accused of raping a 19-year-old aspiring model was arrested. He used his renown and fame to lure her to a photoshoot where he raped her. He last appeared at the Paarl regional court on 24 May 2024 where the case was postponed to 29 July 2024.
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 matter was heard in court on 26 June and was postponed to 30 July 2024.
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 being 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 21 June and has been postponed to 3 July 2024 for a regional court date.
Orchid: Raped teenager
Orchid*, a teenager who survived a horrific rape more than a year ago, is closer to closure after her rapist was found guilty on 25 March 2024. Action Society has been supporting Orchid since her rape by a teenage boy and it has been an uphill battle ever since to get justice. The case was postponed to 1 July 2024 for sentencing.
Firdous Kleinschmidt: Killed by a stray bullet
Action Society continued to oversee the case against the man who killed a 13-year-old girl from Mitchells Plain in January 2024. She died after being hit by a stray bullet during a shooting as she was awaiting transport at her school. The case was heard on 28 June 2024 and has been postponed to 11 July 2024 for further bail application.
