On Wednesday, the Action Society team supported 21 victims of violence against women and children. These ongoing cases include a young toddler who had boiling water thrown at him and 19 women who were sexually assaulted in a church in Khayelitsha.
MURDERED: Suritha Alting
(25 October, Parow Regional Court)
Suritha Alting (28), a make-up artist from Cape Town, was murdered on her way home from a restaurant late last year. She was found bleeding out on Sylvia Street, Richwood, from several stab wounds and died at a nearby hospital shortly after. A 17-year-old was arrested for her murder and has made several appearances.
Yesterday, he stood before the Parow Court, and the court accepted a guilty plea. The matter was postponed to 24 November 2023 for sentencing.
SEXUALLY ASSAULTED: 19 churchgoers
(25 October, Khayelitsha Magistrates Court)
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 two accused appeared before the Khayelitsha Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, where the case was postponed to 8 November 2023 for a regional court date. The charges against the two men include three rapes, eight sexual assaults, housebreaking, intent to rob and robbery with aggravating circumstances.
Langa toddler burnt with boiling water
(25 October, Bishop Lavis Magistrates Court)
The woman accused of pouring boiling water on a four-year-old boy in Langa appeared before the Bishop Lavis Regional court on Wednesday. The case is now being transferred to Parow Regional Court 2 for a first appearance on 15 November 2023.
In June of this year, the toddler was playing with his friends in the area when a 22-year-old woman came out of her house and threw hot water at him. The initial charge against the woman was assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm (GBH); however, according to Western Cape NPA spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila, the state changed the charge to attempted murder due to the injuries the victim suffered.
