The Action Society team is growing increasingly frustrated with the court system. These countless postponements are like a vicious cycle of ineptitude and indifference from which there is seemingly no escape. However, Action Society will not allow this to dishearten us, and we will continue to fight for justice.
PAARL REGIONAL COURT
Siphokazi Booi: Mutilated and tossed in a wheelie bin
Friday, 9 August, will mark three years since Siphokazi Booi’s horrific murder, and still we are waiting for judgement. Matter was heard in court on 22 July 2024 and has been postponed to 13 August 2024 for further trial.
MITCHELLS PLAIN MAGISTRATES COURT
Firdous Kleinschmidt: Killed by a stray bullet
Six months have passed since 13-year-old Firdous Kleinschmidt was killed by a stray bullet while awaiting transport to her school. The matter was heard in court on 15 July 2024 and was postponed to 2 August 2024 for bail application. This was the fifth time that the case was postponed for bail application.
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 matter was heard in court on 26 July 2024 and was postponed to 29 July 2024 for bail application.
KHAYELITSHA REGIONAL COURT
Barbershop shooting
Two children, aged 11 and 12, and an adult aged 30, were killed inside a barbershop during a mass shooting on June 8 2024. Three other children were rushed to hospital where a 5-year old died of their injuries. In their statement, the police said they have reason to believe the shooting was extortion-related. The matter was heard in court on 29 July 2024 and was postponed to 26 September 2024 for further investigation. The suspects were granted bail, but will remain in custody until the amount is paid.
PAARL MAGISTRATES COURT
Asiphe Cetywayo: Body thrown in a dump site
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 July 2024 and has been postponed to 26 September 2024 for a regional court date. To add to our frustration, the DNA results are still outstanding.
Violet: Raped by uncle
Action Society continued their supported of Violet, a teenager who was raped by her uncle in 2019. Violet and her family have been desperate for justice for more than 500 days. This case has been particularly frustrating and has been postponed at least 14 times. The matter was heard on 16 July 2024 and was postponed to 26 September for judgement.
Marigold: Raped by father’s cousin
Action Society is conducting oversight in the sexual assault case of Marigold, a six-year-old girl from Gauteng. According to Marigold’s mother, she was raped by her father’s cousin in June last year during a visit to his house. He was arrested on 2 January 2024 but was granted bail. He appeared in court again on 24 July 2024, where the case was postponed due to the magistrate retiring.
BISHOP LAVIS MAGISTRATES COURT
Elderly lady assaulted by family member
Action Society fully and unreservedly condemns acts of violence toward our country’s elderly. A house in Langa in Cape Town became another scene of terrible elder abuse, this time yet again at the hands of a close family member who tried to kill his grandmother. We signed a mandate and will be defending her cause in the courts. He was arrested on 12 July and appeared before the Bishop Lavis Magistrates Court. He was granted bail with strict conditions, one being that he is not allowed near his grandmother’s residence without the police present. The matter was heard in court on 24 July 2024 and was postponed to 29 August 2024 for further investigation.
BELLVILLE REGIONAL COURT
Aaliyah Chingy:Tossed in a shallow grave
The murder case of Aaliyah Chingy continued its uphill battle as her family and friends remained determined to see her killer behind bars for life. On 12 February 2023, her body was found tossed in a shallow grave, covered in multiple stab wounds. Just like in Siphokazi Booi’s case, the man accused of killing her was her romantic partner at the time and there was a history of abuse in their relationship. It went unreported until it was too late. The matter was heard in court on 24 July 2024 and has been postponed to 28 October 2024 for trial.
BLUE DOWNS REGIONAL COURT
Janelle Laattoe: Serial abuser
Action Society supported Janelle Laattoe and two other women who were abused by the same man. He abused these women during romantic relationships with them. The matter was heard on 24 July 2024 and was postponed to 16 and 17 September 2024 for trial.
PRETORIA NORTH REGIONAL COURT
Charlene Pretorius: Set alight in front of her children
The monster from Pretoria North, who set his wife, 42-year-old Charlene Pretorius, alight in front of their teenage daughter on 27 May last year, appeared in the Pretoria North Magistrate’s court again on 26 July 2024. He watched her burn before fleeing the scene while his parents and sister rushed her to hospital. The case was postponed to
29 July 2024 for a high court date.
WYNBERG REGIONAL COURT
Abednego Mavuyangwa : Shot in his home
Abednigo Mavuyangawa was shot and killed in his home at Sjwetla informal township in Alexander. According to eyewitness accounts, Abednego had a heated argument with his wife, Portia Matsena, which escalated when a neighbour, Patricia, sought assistance from her cousin, Walter Matsena. Upon arriving at the scene, Walter confronted Abednego and fired four shots at him, ending his life. After the incident, he also physically assaulted Portia. The matter was heard in court on 16 July 2024 where it was temporarily withdrawn.
