Action Society has written to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) on behalf of the Pretorius family after fresh delays in the case of 42-year-old Charlene Pretorius, who was killed after being set alight by her husband in May 2023. The matter appeared in the Pretoria High Court on Monday, 27 October 2025, but was moved to Tuesday due to the presiding judge being ill. On Tuesday, 28 October, the case was postponed again because the toxicology report remains outstanding. The matter now stands for 2–6 February 2026.
“The State has been ordered to follow up on the toxicology report. There can be no further tolerance for unnecessary delay,” says Juanita du Preez, spokesperson for Action Society. “Every postponement reopens the wounds of Charlene’s children and delays accountability. We are putting the NPA on formal notice that this case must move forward without further obstruction.”
In its letter to the NPA, Action Society recorded appreciation for Judge Phalane’s firm case management and placed urgent requests on the record. The organisation asked that there be no further unnecessary delays or postponements; that all available evidence, including the toxicology findings, data extracted from Charlene’s cellphone, and the testimony of all relevant witnesses, be fully considered; that the State be thoroughly prepared to proceed at the confirmed February 2026 sitting with all reports and exhibits finalised; that the investigating officer ensure all outstanding evidence is delivered to the prosecution before proceedings resume; and that the Pretorius family’s constitutional rights under the Victims’ Charter be upheld throughout.
While the post-mortem report is complete, the outstanding toxicology report has again stalled progress. This is symptomatic of the wider DNA and forensic backlog that continues to cripple prosecutions across South Africa. Latest public figures indicate that around 140 000 DNA-related cases remain outstanding nationwide, a crisis that directly undermines timely justice for victims and their families.
“Families should not be living in limbo because critical forensic reports are not on the prosecutor’s desk,” Du Preez adds. “We will continue to attend court with the Pretorius family, to press the NPA and SAPS for urgent completion of the toxicology report, and to insist that this case is trial-ready by February.”
Charlene’s murder on 27 May 2023 shocked Pretoria. Having endured years of domestic abuse during her 16-year marriage, she had repeatedly sought protection from her husband, Stephan Pretorius, who threatened to shoot her and their children and violated multiple court protection orders. She filed for divorce and obtained her final protection order in February 2023. On that tragic day she was doused with petrol and set alight by her husband in front of their teenage daughter. He fled the scene, leaving her for dead; although family rushed her to hospital, she succumbed to her injuries a few days later. The children are now left without their mother, and the case has become a painful symbol of how victims of gender-based violence often wait far too long for justice while critical forensic work remains undone.
Action Society will remain present in court, support Charlene’s family, and continue to demand swift, diligent prosecution so that justice is not delayed any further.
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