The South African criminal justice system is buckling under the weight of outdated infrastructure and ineffective communication. Despite living in a digital age, victims and legal representatives still face lengthy delays in accessing basic case information, even when authorised to do so.
A recent inspection of courts and police stations revealed shocking inefficiencies, further highlighting the urgent need for reform. While the police have implemented a basic SMS notification system for assigning investigating officers, the courts remain silent. Why can’t victims be notified via SMS or WhatsApp when their case is postponed due to an unavailable magistrate or legal representative? In 2025, with digital solutions readily available, there is no excuse. Public-private partnerships, including tertiary and private institutions, are capable of delivering these systems in weeks, if only the government would act.
Here is the wrap for this week:
PROTEA MAGISTRATES COURT
Nomasanto Modzanane: Deliberately ran over with bakkie
Nomasonto Modzanane was killed in broad daylight after a bakkie purposefully struck her on 21 February 2024 in Randfontein as she was crossing the road. CCTV video footage shows the driver of the bakkie run over Nomasonto before he puts the car into reverse to run over her body again, after which he flees the scene. It took months to arrest the perpetrator. Since our last update, the Director of Public Prosecutions referred the case to the Protea Court. Even though offline computer systems made it difficult to confirm new dates, Action Society can now confirm the case was heard in court on 11 March 2025 and was postponed to 24 June for plea and trial.
ROODEPOORT MAGISTRATES COURT
Marigold: Six-year-old raped
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 2023 during a visit to the father’s house. Even though the mother opposed bail in 2024, the accused’s application was successful. The case was postponed in the middle of last year because the residing magistrate retired, but it was set to continue in November. However, the mother struggles to travel to attend court. A warrant of arrest was issued against the mother as they could not attend court proceedings in November 2024, because of a lack of transport, and despite a doctor’s letter confirming the victim had been ill. The incident and court case have had a very negative impact on the little girl. The case continued on 6 May 2025 and was postponed until 15 and 17 October, with a warning that both mother and daughter must attend these proceedings.
HEIDELBERG MAGISTRATES COURT
Melokuhle Ngwenya: Guilty verdict in three-year-old’s murder
Action Society is satisfied with the conclusion in the case of a three-year-old girl who was strangled to death and possibly raped. Her body was discovered in a plastic bag in a bin in Ratanda in April of 2024. A man and woman were arrested soon after, and one of them admitted guilt upon questioning. They remained in custody; however, DNA analysis delayed the case. One of the suspects was found guilty of the little girl’s murder as well as being an illegal immigrant, and was sentenced to 30 years’ direct imprisonment. Charges against the second suspect were withdrawn.
KUILSRIVIER MAGISTRATES COURT
Granny Clover: Elderly woman assaulted
The assault case of Granny Clover* was unfortunately withdrawn and closed on 6 March 2025 in the Kuilsriver Magistrates Court. A video of a young man verbally assaulting and physically harming an elderly woman, later confirmed to be his grandmother, garnered public outrage in July 2024. It is disheartening to see most elder abuse cases withdrawn because of familial pressure, the emotional and health impact on the victim and in many cases, the victim not having the heart to see loved ones convicted. Action Society still completely condemns the actions of this young man and hopes that the victim can move on from this traumatic event.
MITCHELLS PLAIN MAGISTRATES COURT
Fern: Teenage Gang-Rape Victim
The case of 14-year-old Fern*, who was gang-raped by a group of boys aged between six and 17, continued in May. Disturbingly, the assault was recorded and shared within the community. The case was heard on 5 May 2025 and postponed to 2 July for a possible regional court hearing for the three older boys, as the younger boys are seen by law as too young to understand the impact of their actions.
Maggie Carolus: Elderly Woman Assaulted by Neighbour
Seventy-year-old Maggie Carolus was assaulted by her neighbour during an altercation in Strandfontein on 20 October 2024. The accused had allegedly been intimidating her prior to the incident. A protection order was granted earlier, but the assault case was heard on 12 May 2025 and postponed to 19 June.
KHAYELITSHA MAGISTRATES COURT
Barbershop Massacre:
A tragic mass shooting on 8 June 2024 claimed the lives of two children (aged 11 and 12) and one adult. A five-year-old also later died from injuries sustained in the shooting. The shooting is believed to be extortion-related. Bail was granted to both accused in July 2024, which Action Society condemned as one of the accused had already failed to attend an April court appearance, after which a warrant of arrest had to be issued. At the latest appearance on 12 May, one accused was absent due to illness. We fear that court manipulation will be a recurring way of disrupting the proceedings going forward. The matter has since been moved to Regional Court B, with a new court date set for 26 May 2025.
BELVILLE REGIONAL COURT
Aaliyah Chingy: Body tossed in a shallow grave
The murder case of Aaliyah Chingy, a 20-year-old woman, continued in March of 2025. Her body was discovered in a shallow grave in February 2023. The main suspect, her boyfriend, was arrested and is still in police custody. The case was heard in court on 12 May 2025 and was postponed to 21 and 22 July for trial to commence.
BELVILLE MAGISTRATES COURT
Aster: Raped by pastor
In December 2024, Action Society received a written mandate to oversee the horrendous case of Aster*, a 14-year-old girl who was raped by a “pastor” in Delft in the Western Cape in late November 2024. According to reports, the pastor picked her up from her house (per their usual routine on a Saturday) to take her to a praise and worship session at their local church. However, on this day, he took the young girl to a rental house, where he proceeded to rape her. The case was heard on 12 May 2025 and moved to the Parow Regional court to be heard on 14 July.
