Action Society has received a formal mandate to assist 21-year-old Micha Renge in her pursuit of justice and protection following a brutal attempted murder that has left the Mitchell’s Plain community reeling.
Renge was allegedly strangled with a belt by her former boyfriend on 22 December 2025. The attack reportedly took place near the Mnandi Beach canal and continued later at her home in Westridge. According to court proceedings, she was nearly strangled to death, with the prosecutor stating that the assault was so severe that blood almost oozed from her eyes.
The accused was arrested on 23 December and made his first appearance in the Mitchell’s Plain Magistrates’ Court on 22 January 2026. The matter returned to court on 2 February, and on 10 February arguments were heard in his bail application in Court 4. Judgment on bail has been postponed to 27 February 2026.
During proceedings, the defence argued that the accused has no prior convictions or pending cases and presented an alternative address should bail be granted. The State opposed bail, emphasising the brutality of the attack, the shock experienced by the community, and the real risk to the complainant should the accused be released. The prosecutor further raised serious concerns about the accused having provided a false name to police at the time of his arrest, only being correctly identified after verification with the victim at the police station.
In court, the magistrate questioned the explanation that the accused acted out of fear, noting that he did not present as someone who was nervous or intimidated. It was clarified that the accused later admitted he wanted to get away with the crime. The State repeatedly argued that dishonesty at the point of arrest raises significant concerns about whether he can be trusted to comply with bail conditions.
South Africa continues to face alarmingly high levels of violence against women, particularly at the hands of intimate partners. National research analysing female homicide cases where the victim–perpetrator relationship was known found that approximately half of women murdered in South Africa were killed by a current or former husband or boyfriend. These findings, drawn from peer-reviewed national studies and government-linked statistical overviews, highlight the lethal risks women face in abusive relationships and underscore the importance of prioritising survivor safety in bail decisions involving attempted murder.
Action Society will now provide court oversight, victim support and public accountability in this matter.
“This is not simply a relationship dispute that escalated,” says Kaylynn Palm, Head of Action Society’s Action Centre in the Western Cape. “This is an alleged attempted murder marked by extreme violence and a clear disregard for the life of a young woman. We will stand with Micha to ensure that her safety is prioritised and that the justice system treats this matter with the seriousness it deserves.”
Palm adds that cases of attempted murder linked to intimate partner violence demand firm judicial scrutiny, particularly where there are indications of pursuit and continued threat after the initial assault.
Action Society calls on the court to carefully consider the safety of the victim and the broader community when delivering its bail judgment on 27 February. Survivors of violence deserve protection, justice and a system that acts decisively in the face of credible danger.
Action Society will continue to monitor proceedings at the Mitchell’s Plain Magistrates’ Court and will keep the public informed.
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